The NHS Community Pharmacy Consultation Service (CPCS) is an NHS England initiative providing more convenient treatment closer to patients’ homes.
Lots of conditions are more appropriate for a consultation with a Community Pharmacist, rather than a GP. Our team will triage your symptoms and, if appropriate, refer you for a same day appointment with our community pharmacist colleagues at a local community pharmacy for a personal consultation. You will be sent details of which pharmacy you have been referred to.
What is an NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation?
- It’s a one-to-one consultation with a fully qualified clinical pharmacist at a local pharmacy.
- It involves a clinical assessment and conversation with the pharmacist.
- The consultation is normally by phone in the first instance or in the privacy of a consultation room at the pharmacy.
- The clinical pharmacist will normally contact the patient within 4 working hours.
- The clinical pharmacist will advise if an over-the-counter medicine is suitable, if so this can be obtained from your usual pharmacy, or if you need to be seen then they will refer you back to the GP practice.
How can the clinical pharmacist help?
- The clinical pharmacist has the right clinical training to assess you and recommend the best treatment for some common conditions.
- If you don’t need any treatment the clinical pharmacist will be able to provide reassurance and advice – for example, a minor ailment that may get better on its own.
- To help with symptoms, the clinical pharmacist may suggest an over-the-counter medicine that can be purchased.