Updated SCS service spec and PGDs published ahead of changes to the service
In the 2024/25 and 2025/26 CPCF funding settlement, it was agreed that changes would be made to the Smoking Cessation Service (SCS) to allow suitably trained and competent staff to provide the service, alongside pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, who are currently able to undertake consultations.
It was also agreed that Patient Group Directions (PGDs) would be introduced to enable provision of varenicline and cytisinicline (Cytisine) under the service by both suitably trained and competent pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
These changes to the service necessitate updates to the service specification and new PGDs for varenicline and cytisinicline (Cytisine).
We have been working with NHS England and DHSC on these documents and draft versions have now been published on the NHSBSA website.
Download the DRAFT documents from the NHSBSA website
These draft documents have been published to provide advance notice of the changes to the service for pharmacy owners and their teams, and additionally to support IT system suppliers in developing the necessary changes to their systems.
The commencement date for the revised service will be announced by NHS England in due course; a provisional start date has not yet been agreed.
Prior to the commencement date for the revised service, the final versions of the service specification and PGDs will be published on the NHS England website. From the commencement date, the updated documentation on the NHS England website must be used by all pharmacy owners providing the service, not the draft documents which have now been published.
For now, the service has not changed, and pharmacy owners and their teams must continue to provide the service in line with the current documentation published on the NHS England website.
