Pharmacy IT suppliers are racing against the clock to update their clinical systems ahead of the Pharmacy First launch on January 31.

The aim is for pharmacy owners to have access to clinical services IT systems that will send data to the NHSBSA’s MYS portal, GP records and allow more parts of the GP record to be visible (medications, observations and investigations). 

This will streamline referrals and improve how GP records are updated following the provision of pharmacy services, according to DHSC and NHSE.

“This is a significant step forward that will support the future development of community pharmacy services,” said Community Pharmacy England.

In the joint letter to pharmacy owners outlining details of the primary care delivery plan, CPE, DHSC and NHSE said they were working with pharmacy IT system suppliers currently assured for the Community Pharmacist Consultation Service, blood pressure check service and pharmacy contraception service to update their clinical systems to support the launch of Pharmacy First (clinical pathways).

Contractors will be able to use the new Pharmacy First consultation record to capture the consultation and send automatic updates to the GP record and to the NHSBSA to support payments and reporting on the service.

“We are [also] working with NHS Pathways to develop the clinical triage system to send electronic referrals from NHS 111 and Urgent and Emergency Care settings to community pharmacy that may otherwise go to a GP practice for the seven common conditions [in the Pharmacy First service],” the letter stated.

Taken together, these changes will “further integrate” community pharmacy into primary care and “pave the way in the future for commissioning a wider range of clinical services at neighbourhood, place, integrated care board and national level”, said the bodies.

‘Hell bent’

Cegedim said it is “on track” to release the Clinical Pathway Consultation service (CPC), which will form part of our current CPCS. “We plan to enable the new CPC service in line with the NHS launch on the January 31,” confirmed the pharmacy technology firm.

Tracey Robertson, director, product and technology, told Pharmacy Magazine: “We are thrilled that the Pharmacy First initiative is recognising the important clinical skills of our pharmacy teams and we’re delighted to be supporting this important shift in the industry empowering pharmacy.

“We know that to do more, pharmacies need great technology. This has been and remains our vision and we’re hell bent on driving innovation to save pharmacy time, make pharmacy money and improve patient outcomes.”

Invatech Health said it is also “on target” for delivering these services by the January 31 deadline. “They will be included as part of our new Titanverse platform, which will give pharmacies the flexibility to deliver these services in an efficient manner,” said chief executive Tariq Muhammad.