Using patient messaging software

An increasing number of pharmacies and general practices are using patient messaging services on NHS-assured platforms such as Accurx and the associated Accumail. For example, pharmacists can use these to:

• Message patients before or after a consultation
• Conduct a secure video consultation with a patient
• Enable patients to send photographs of rashes and other dermatological conditions
• Ask patients to complete a questionnaire prior to a consultation to see whether they meet the clinical gateway criteria for a Pharmacy First intervention. A pharmacist can then speak to the patient and decide next steps
• Send useful clinical information to the patient after the consultation. Pharmacists can create templates for safety-netting/signposting information and leaflets to give to patients treated as part of the Pharmacy First clinical pathways 
• Remind the patient of the timescale for returning to the pharmacy if necessary (safety- netting) in those consultations where antibiotic supply has been carried out.