CPCS (Community Pharmacy Consultation Service)
The NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service launched on 29th October 2019 as an Advanced Service.
Since 1st November 2020, general practices have been able to refer patients for a minor illness consultation via CPCS, once a local referral pathway has been agreed.
Read more about the GP referral pathway
Read about – The Community Pharmacy Consultation Service – when is it complete?
The service connects patients who have a minor illness or need an urgent supply of a medicine with a community pharmacy.
As well as referrals from general practices, the service takes referrals to community pharmacy from NHS 111 and NHS 111 online, Integrated Urgent Care Clinical Assessment Services and in some cases patients referred via the 999 service.
The CPCS aims to relieve pressure on the wider NHS by connecting patients with community pharmacy, which should be their first port of call and can deliver a swift, convenient and effective service to meet their needs. Since the CPCS was launched, an average of 10,500 patients per week being referred for a consultation with a pharmacist following a call to NHS 111; these are patients who might otherwise have gone to see a GP
The CPCS provides the opportunity for community pharmacy to play a bigger role than ever within the urgent care system.
Download and listen to this slide set produced by Chris Kerry, GP Referral to CPCS Implementation and Support Manager for Derbyshire/Derby. It outlines some key points for you and your team regarding CPCS roll out.
GP CPCS Local Implementation Sept 2022
February 2023 update
As the number of GP CPCS referrals increase across Derbyshire/Derby, we have developed a Top tips for Community Pharmacy to effectively implement and deliver GP-CPCS referrals. Click on the link below to access the information:
Top tips for community pharmacy to effectively implement and deliver GP-CPCS referrals
02 May 2023
Community pharmacy advanced service specification: NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service Version 3 published, available by clicking the link below
19 May 2023 *IMPORTANT NEWS – AVOID ANY CPCS POTENTIAL SERVICE FEE LOSSES*
From 01 June 2023 claims for payment should be submitted within one month of, and no later than three months from the claim period for the chargeable activity provided. Previously, the grace period was six months.
More information is available by clicking the link below:
Action required: CPCS claim period change from 1st June – PSNC Website
