The Company Chemists’ Association has today published a series of recommendations to help LPCs support contractors’ roll-out of Pharmacy First.

The report, based on a meeting of seven LPCs earlier this month which was hosted by the CCA, said LPCs should use “multiple channels” to promote Pharmacy First and bust myths surrounding it by sharing evidence of its effectiveness.

The report said those channels could help LPCs spread best practice and allow them to create tools that can be “readily used by pharmacies and GPs.”

Other recommendation include ensuring LPCs engage directly with regional NHS teams to secure funding for Pharmacy First promotions and continuously talk to general practice staff, from reception to GP partners, about the service’s benefits.

The report also said LPCs should harness data to inform practices how Pharmacy First is performing and “ensure open referrals are closed promptly by community pharmacies.”

LPCs, the report added, should regularly engage with ICB and GP stakeholders “to understand and shape improvements in NHS111” and encourage pharmacy staff to highlight Pharmacy First to patients.

The CCA said its recommendations will “build awareness and confidence” in the service within the NHS, primary care and among patients.

CCA chief executive Malcolm Harrison warned there was “plenty more to do to increase patient awareness and GP referrals” to Pharmacy First as well as “address regional variation.”

“The sector is estimated to have moved up to 1.2 million patient appointments from general practice to community pharmacy so far. We also continue to see week-on-week growth of the service,” he said.

“LPCs hold a crucial role in working with pharmacy contractors and key local and regional stakeholders to drive the success of Pharmacy First.

“We hope that this report proves useful to the entire LPC network as together we all continue to prove the value of Pharmacy First to patients, primary care and the NHS as a whole”.

Representatives from Community Pharmacy Greater Manchester, Community Pharmacy Kent, Community Pharmacy North East Central, Community Pharmacy North East London, Community Pharmacy Nottinghamshire, Community Pharmacy Avon and Community Pharmacy Thames Valley were at the meeting.

The CCA said it will continue working with LPCs “to build on the successful roll-out of Pharmacy First” and press NHS England “for greater support to drive patient awareness and referrals.”