Community Pharmacy urges NHS England to market Pharmacy First effectively and ensure that GPs are actively referring people to the service
In response to concerns raised by Community Pharmacy England (CPE), ministers have decided to lower the October threshold for the Pharmacy First service to 20.
This decision addresses a major worry for pharmacy owners who have struggled to meet the required number of clinical pathways for monthly Pharmacy First payments, especially as the October increase to 30 pathways approached.
CPE has been actively engaged in discussions with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England over the past few weeks to address this issue.
Commenting on the decision, Janet Morrison, CEO of Community Pharmacy England, said: “It is great that ministers have responded to our concerns about another increase to the Pharmacy First payment threshold: this decision will save many community pharmacies from missing out on a vital payment this month.”
Morrison added that CPE will continue to monitor service data and, if needed, make further representations to ministers about future months.
She also emphasised the need to find a long-term solution, which involves “NHS England marketing Pharmacy First effectively and ensuring that GPs are actively referring people to the service Read More….