No specific training needs have been defined by the NHS for delivery of this service. It is important that all the pharmacy team are aware of the service and understand their role in its deliver.

There are a number of areas of development for pharmacists that relate to the delivery of the service:

• The process of the CPCS
• Human Medicine Regulations and ethics relating to emergency supply of POMs
• The local urgent care system and services
• Safeguarding.

Other areas for the development of pharmacists relates to the clinical knowledge and skills required to provide the service effectively. Pharmacists must operate at a higher level than pharmacy support staff, able to manage a wider range of conditions with a wider range of patients. Areas of development may include:

• Models of clinical interviewing and history taking
• Clinical examination and assessment
• Record keeping
• Symptoms, differential diagnosis and evidence based treatment and management, and self-care advice for the conditions included in the service (a full list is available in the service specification)
• Red flag symptoms.

Pharmacists must also improve the referral process they use when passing on a patient to another service or professional. “Sending on” the patient is not sufficient if pharmacists are to operate as part of a system. A good referral should include:

• How the patient presented
• What you discovered, and
• What you want the other healthcare professional to do (confirm, exclude, treat).