The NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS) was launched by NHS England and NHS Improvement on the 29 October 2019, to facilitate patients having a same day appointment with their community pharmacist for minor illness or an urgent supply of a regular medicine, improving access to services and providing more convenient treatment closer to patients’ homes.
The service is helping to alleviate pressure on GP appointments and emergency departments, in addition to harnessing the skills and medicines knowledge of Pharmacists. Should the patient need to be escalated or referred to an alternative service, the pharmacist can arrange this.
A list of conditions that can be seen by a Community Pharmacist
The idea is that patients themselves contact/ attend a local Pharmacy first hand rather than contact their GP Practice for the above symptoms. If you happen to contact the Practice you may be signposted (referred) to a Community Pharmacy by our reception teams if appropriate and you hadn’t tried this avenue first. Via the CPCS service you can expect to be consulted within 12 hours from your initial contact.
For more information on local Pharmacies and the times they are open. Click on this link.
If your symptoms worsen, become severe or urgent please contact the most appropriate service. 999, 111, MIU or GP https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/using-the-nhs-and-other-health-services/
If you want to check your symptoms and red flags to reassure yourself, please use the symptom checker here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/