Reminder: One week until HCFS changes take effect

Pharmacy owners are reminded that the changes to the Hypertension Case-Finding Service (HCFS), come into effect in a week’s time on Thursday 3rd September 2026.

This follows the publication of the updated service specification earlier this month. We recommend that all pharmacy owners providing the service read the updated service specification and the summary of changes on our website.

Community Pharmacy England resources 

A range of resources are available for pharmacies to display and share with patients to help raise awareness of the service, including:

• Posters for display within pharmacies and at other locations, such as general practices; and
• Social media tiles and suggested social media posts about the service.

Download these here:  HCFS posters and social media tiles

New and updated resources include:

• Small flyers to use on prescription bags;
• A template patient leaflet to promote the service;
• An infographic to help engage patients – Blood pressure check service what’s involved;
• A Briefing for pharmacy teams on the service;
• A service promotion checklist;
• Updated referral templates;
• A patient online information sources guide; and
• An ambulatory blood pressure monitoring patient leaflet.

Engaging general practices

For pharmacies that receive referrals to the service from general practices, there is an email/letter template you can use to notify local general practices of the changes, with a briefing document for GP practice teams on the service which also explains the changes being made to the service.

Further information on the HCFS and all the resources listed above can be found on our HCFS webpage.