Other locally commissioned services

The community pharmacy team should be aware of locally commissioned services that can support lifestyle changes and be able to signpost people accordingly. Onward referral to a social prescriber at the GP surgery may also be an option in some areas.

People with raised blood pressure should be referred to the GP in line with an SOP agreed with the GP practice, which will also define the same day and urgent referral criteria. The methods of communication should be standardised. 

If medication is needed for blood pressure management, this will be under the direction of the GP practice. Increasingly, the practice-based or PCN pharmacist may be the lead within the GP surgery for this cohort of patients, and building a relationship between your pharmacy and the GP surgery will be helpful to both parties.

The pharmacy should use any opportunity to support lifestyle interventions as well as medication adherence. 

People with hypertension are eligible for New Medicine Service consultations.