CPTV Pharmacy Academy

This official policy framework outlines a strategic shift in the English health system toward a neighborhood-centered model of care. By integrating NHS services with local government and social care, the initiative aims to move medical focus from hospitals to preventative, community-based environments. The document establishes specific national goals for improving GP access, managing long-term conditions like frailty and dementia, and reducing unnecessary emergency admissions. It introduces new contractual structures, such as Integrated Health Organizations, and details plans for 250 neighborhood health centers to serve as local hubs. Ultimately, the framework seeks to restore public confidence by creating a more accessible, less bureaucratic, and digitally integrated healthcare experience.

 This podcast outlines efforts by Community Pharmacy England to address and eliminate inappropriate Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) nominations and the unauthorized direction of patient services. By collaborating with NHS England and the British Medical Association, the organization is implementing stricter regulatory guidelines to ensure that medical providers do not manipulate where patients receive their medications. Key updates include a 2026/27 GP Contract amendment that requires doctors to reconfirm a patient’s chosen pharmacy when issuing new prescriptions. These measures aim to protect patient choice and prevent IT systems from automatically selecting dispensers without explicit consent. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to maintain professional integrity and transparency across the community pharmacy sector.

Starting in March 2026, the Department of Health and Social Care will implement Category H into the official Drug Tariff to reform how certain medicines are reimbursed. This new classification targets products currently in Category C that are provided by multiple manufacturers, shifting away from prices based on a single brand's list price. Instead, reimbursement rates will be determined by actual market data collected from suppliers to better reflect true pharmacy costs. While the government intends to improve the distribution of medicine margins, representative bodies like Community Pharmacy England have expressed significant concern. They argue that these imposed changes could further strain pharmacy funding and potentially destabilize an already fragile medicine supply chain.

Community Pharmacy England has provided updated resources to assist pharmacy owners with the 2026 Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPTK). This mandatory annual assessment ensures that pharmacies comply with data security standards and GDPR regulations before the June 30th, 2026 deadline. The guidance includes a five-step checklist and detailed answers for technical questions, specifically highlighting new requirements like multi-factor authentication for clinical systems. Pharmacy teams can streamline the process by utilizing their existing GDPR Workbooks and may benefit from batch submission features if they manage multiple locations. These sources emphasize that at least 95% of staff must complete recognized privacy training to meet the necessary benchmarks. Accessing these tools early helps ensure that all mandatory evidence is provided to maintain the security of patient information.

This PODCAST serves as a strategic call to action for community pharmacists, urging them to prioritize the timely and accurate submission of service claims. By viewing administrative reporting as an essential component of patient care, practitioners can safeguard their financial stability and ensure the long-term sustainability of their businesses. The text emphasizes that consistent data collection provides the necessary evidence to advocate for future NHS investments and broader professional recognition. To achieve this, the author recommends integrating digital tracking tools and specific workflows into the daily routine rather than waiting until the end of the month. Ultimately, the message reinforces that capturing every intervention is vital for proving the sector's value and improving equitable healthcare access for all patients.

New joint service specification for the community pharmacy provision of both the adult influenza and COVID-19 vaccination services, effective for the 2026/27 season. The main source outlines significant changes in funding and service requirements, including fee parity with general practitioners and the reclassification of the COVID-19 vaccination service as an Advanced service from April 2026. Key updates address the mandatory use of the National Booking Service for COVID-19 but maintain flexibility for flu, and establish registration deadlines for pharmacy owners wishing to participate in the spring and autumn vaccination campaigns. The second source confirms the official publication of this service specification and an accompanying system letter by NHS England on December 15, 2025.

The 2025 report assesses the critical role of community pharmacy in achieving the vision outlined in the Department of Health and Social Care’s 10-year plan for health, "Fit for the Future." This plan requires England’s health system to undergo significant changes, shifting care from hospital to community, embracing digital solutions, and concentrating on preventative measures. The document argues that pharmacies, leveraging an increasingly clinical workforce with independent prescribing qualifications, are integral to establishing accessible Neighbourhood Health Services. However, achieving this transformation necessitates resolving five fundamental questions regarding national and local engagement, the integration of IT and estate needs, and robust workforce planning. Most crucially, success hinges on reforming the existing community pharmacy contract to ensure a sustainable financial and operational foundation that can support these expanded responsibilities.

This podcast using data from Community Pharmacy England, details the findings of their 2025 Pharmacy Pressures Survey: Staffing and Morale report and presenting a comprehensive sitemap of the organization's resources. The central focus is the deepening crisis in community pharmacy, highlighting issues such as severe staffing shortages, unsustainable workloads, and financial strain that are critically impacting morale and patient care. Key data points reveal that nearly 70% of staff report negative mental health effects and that recruitment remains a major challenge, leading to temporary closures and reduced services across England. Furthermore, the extensive menu structure indicates that Community Pharmacy England is a key representative body involved in negotiations, funding, regulatory compliance, and digital systems within the National Health Service (NHS) framework.

This provides an overview of the services and strategic support offered to community pharmacies within the Thames Valley region, primarily through the Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC) known as Community Pharmacy Thames Valley (CPTV). One source details the comprehensive range of Essential, Advanced, and Local Services available at the 325 pharmacies in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Buckinghamshire, including the Pharmacy First Service, vaccinations, and the New Medicines Service (NMS). The primary document outlines CPTV’s extensive role in representation, service development, training, and advocacy, demonstrating how they help contractors integrate into local healthcare systems and achieve performance targets, particularly for new services like Hypertension Case-Finding. Finally, supplementary excerpts highlight the LPC’s commitment to contractor education through the LPC Academy, offering webinars, conferences, and podcasts on clinical topics such as Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) and women’s health.

"Closing the Gap – Pharmacy First in Thames Valley," is aimed at local community pharmacy contractors. The primary goal of the podcast is to motivate pharmacists to increase their participation in the Pharmacy First Clinical Pathways service to secure full payment. Using June 2025 data from Thames Valley, the host reveals that while 327 pharmacies participated, 171 fell short of the required 30 monthly consultations, resulting in a lost network income of approximately £147,000. The podcast outlines several steps pharmacies must take, such as proactively identifying eligible patients and engaging GP practices, to improve performance, demonstrating capacity and consistency to commissioners.

This Podcast details the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service in England, outlining the requirements and protocols for community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to provide free oral contraception (OC) and oral emergency contraception (EC). The core source is the service specification (Version 3.0, effective October 29, 2025), which describes the service objectives, provider requirements, consultation procedures, and payment arrangements for both initiation and ongoing supply of OC and provision of EC. Supporting this are several Patient Group Directions (PGDs), which establish the clinical governance framework for supplying specific medications, including Levonorgestrel and Ulipristal acetate for EC, and various types of Combined Oral Hormonal Contraceptives (COC) and Progestogen-Only Pills (POP). These PGDs specify inclusion/exclusion criteria, dosages, and required patient records, emphasizing the goal of expanding public access to contraceptive services and reducing health inequalities.

This podcast provides information regarding the New Medicine Service (NMS), an advanced service within the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework in England aimed at improving patient adherence to newly prescribed medications for long-term conditions. Specifically, the announcements detail a significant expansion of the NMS to include depression as an eligible therapeutic area, with a provisional commencement date of October 29, 2025, according to Community Pharmacy England, though an earlier August 2025 announcement from NHSBSA suggests a publication timeline. Furthermore, the documents outline several operational updates, including amendments to the service specification and eligible drug list following a comprehensive review, and a change to the payment structure effective April 1, 2025, which simplifies compensation to £14 per consultation. Finally, the sources clarify regulatory matters, such as amended timelines for consultations and new guidance concerning the subcontracting of NMS provision.

The PODCAST outlines significant updates to the Pharmacy First Clinical Pathways, scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2025. These revisions introduce several key changes across various pathways, including more emphasis on red flag consideration and the addition of gateway points for urgent escalation to A&E or calling 999. Specific pathways, such as those related to UTIs and shingles, feature clarified definitions and new red flags for onward referral, while women with diabetes are now explicitly excluded from certain services. Furthermore, there are important procedural updates, such as the requirement for examinations to occur in a consultation room, and new guidance regarding claimable points for self-care advice and suspected conditions.

This podcast contains multiple Patient Group Directions (PGDs) authorized by the NHS England Pharmacy First service, outlining the conditions and protocols for pharmacists to supply specific medications for acute sinusitis. The documents systematically detail the use of two nasal steroid sprays, Fluticasone and Mometasone, for general acute sinusitis in individuals aged twelve and over, and three oral antibiotics, Clarithromycin, Doxycycline, and Erythromycin, reserved for cases of suspected acute bacterial sinusitis when a penicillin allergy is present. Crucially, each PGD establishes precise inclusion and exclusion criteria, such as minimum age, symptom duration, signs of bacterial infection, and contraindications related to immunosuppression or concurrent drug use, ensuring safe supply under specific medical and regulatory guidelines. The documentation, which is peer-reviewed and officially dated, also provides essential information on dosage, storage, potential adverse reactions, patient counseling, and detailed referral pathways for serious complications or exclusions.

This PODCAST outlines significant revisions and an expansion of the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS), scheduled for late October 2025. Key changes include the addition of oral emergency contraception (EC) to the service, aiming to standardize access and reduce health inequalities by replacing varied local services. Furthermore, the updated service specification allows suitably trained and competent pharmacy technicians to provide the service and mandates checks of the individual's GP record with consent. Other revisions address operational procedures (SOPs), require verbal consultations directly with the patient, clarify restrictions for Distance Selling Premises (DSPs), and increase the consultation fees for both initiation and repeat supplies.

Updated guidelines and procedures for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in England regarding the provision of emergency contraception. Specifically, two Patient Group Directions (PGDs) detail the supply of levonorgestrel (LNG-EC) and ulipristal acetate (UPA-EC) tablets, including staff qualifications, patient eligibility, dosage, and record-keeping requirements. A separate source from Community Pharmacy England announces that, effective October 29, 2025, the Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS) will expand to include oral emergency contraception, and pharmacy technicians will also be authorized to provide this service. This expansion is part of broader changes to the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF), which also includes revisions to the Pharmacy First Clinical Pathways and the New Medicine Service.

Patient Group Directions (PGDs) are official authorizations allowing specified healthcare professionals to supply particular medications. The first PGD details the supply of phenoxymethylpenicillin for acute sore throat suspected to be a streptococcal infection in individuals aged five and over, as part of the NHS England Pharmacy First service. The second PGD, conversely, focuses on the supply of erythromycin for pregnant individuals aged 16 and over with a similar suspected infection, specifically for those who cannot take phenoxymethylpenicillin due to hypersensitivity. Both PGDs detail the clinical conditions for inclusion and exclusion, the qualifications and training required for staff, and specific guidance on dosage, administration, potential interactions, and adverse reactions for their respective antibiotics. They also emphasize the importance of patient consent, comprehensive record-keeping, and appropriate referral procedures to ensure safe and effective patient care within the service.

2024/25 Annual Report for Community Pharmacy Thames Valley (CPTV), outlining their operations and achievements. It includes a Chairman's Report highlighting resilience in a challenging environment and the launch of new services like Pharmacy First. The Chief Officer's Report details CPTV's structure, successful collaborations with ICS and Local Authorities, and their commitment to training. The Treasurer's Report provides a financial overview, noting healthy reserves and a stable contractor levy. Finally, the Pharmacy Services Report discusses the implementation and challenges of new national services, alongside CPTV's locally negotiated contracts and educational initiatives like their new podcast and webinar series.

This Podcast  outlines a community pharmacy advanced service specification for childhood seasonal influenza vaccination in England, covering the period of October 2025 to March 2026. It details the background and aims of the service, emphasizing the reduction of NHS pressures and disease transmission. The specification also provides requirements for service provision, including pharmacy eligibility, staff training, facility standards, and vaccine ordering and administration protocols. Furthermore, it clarifies patient eligibility, data collection and reporting mandates, governance procedures, and payment arrangements for pharmacies participating in this vaccination program.Use present tense please. Also refer Contractors to contact their LPC for more informationCommunity pharmacies are launching a new Children’s Flu Vac Advanced Service this October. This service is a one-season trial agreed upon following negotiations with NHS England. Its primary aim is to increase the uptake of the flu vaccine in children aged 2-3 years, who usually receive their vaccination from their general practice. This initiative aligns with NHS England’s vaccination strategy and the Government's 10-Year Plan for Health, marking a significant step towards community pharmacies supporting all NHS vaccination programs.Here are the key aspects of the service:• Eligibility:    ◦ The service targets children aged 2 and 3 years old (but not less than 2 or 4 years or over on August 31, 2025). This includes clinically at-risk children in this age group, unless the vaccine is contraindicated.    ◦ Future inclusion of older age groups is possible if announced and authorized by the Commissioner.    ◦ Patients do not require an NHS number or general practice registration.• Service Commencement:    ◦ Pharmacies that choose to provide the service can commence vaccinating eligible children from October 1, 2025.    ◦ The service will run until March 31, 2026.• Vaccine Type and Supply:    ◦ The Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) nasal spray is the primary vaccine used for most eligible children and is supplied to pharmacies from centrally procured stock.    ◦ Pharmacies must register for the Federated Data Platform (FDP) to manage vaccine orders and submit stocktakes.    ◦ LAIV is supplied free of charge and is not reimbursed.    ◦ If LAIV is contraindicated or unsuitable (e.g., due to porcine gelatine content), an inactivated influenza vaccine is recommended. This alternative vaccine is not centrally supplied, and the pharmacy is reimbursed for its cost.    ◦ Pharmacies must not stockpile vaccines and are expected to utilize doses within their shelf life, actively managing stock and reporting usage in FDP. High wastage rates (over 30%) or consistent failure to meet usage thresholds may lead to supply suspension.• Payment Arrangements:    ◦ Pharmacy owners are paid £9.58 for each vaccine administered. This fee is funded from NHS vaccination budgets, separate from the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) global sum.    ◦ Reimbursement for the cost of the inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine is provided where LAIV is unsuitable. An allowance at the applicable VAT rate is also paid.    ◦ Claims for payment must be submitted via the NHSBSA’s Manage Your Service (MYS) platform. Claims should be submitted by the 5th of the month following the activity, and no later than 3 months from the claim period.• Registration and Requirements for Provision:    ◦ To provide the service, the pharmacy contractor must notify NHS England by completing an electronic registration declaration through the NHSBSA MYS portal.    ◦ To receive vaccine stock ahead of the October 1, 2025 start date, pharmacies must register on MYS by 23:59 on August 31, 2025.

This Podcast primarily outlines the 2025/26 Community Pharmacy Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Advanced Service specification. It details key changes to the service requirements, such as clarifying responsible pharmacist oversight and requiring permission for off-premises vaccinations. The document also specifies timings for vaccination cohorts, with pregnant women eligible from September 1st, 2025, and other adult groups from October 1st, 2025. Furthermore, it touches upon updates to vaccine eligibility based on age and risk factors, aligning with pending patient group directives.

This Podcast outlines the UK government's "Fit for the future: 10 Year Health Plan for England," an executive summary detailing a comprehensive strategy to transform the National Health Service (NHS). It addresses the NHS's current challenges, including appointment difficulties, long waiting lists, and staff morale issues, proposing a radical shift from a hospital-centric, analogue, and sickness-focused model to a community-based, digitally empowered, and prevention-oriented system. The plan emphasizes technological advancements, patient choice, workforce reform, and financial sustainability, aiming to improve health outcomes and ensure the NHS's long-term viability for all citizens in England.

This Podcast offers comprehensive guidance for pharmacy owners on fulfilling the mandatory questions of the Data Security and Protection Toolkit 2025, which is crucial for their annual information governance declaration. It outlines steps for logging in, updating organization profiles, and leveraging previous General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Workbook completions to streamline the process. The guidance details specific questions related to data security, including patient opt-out policies, record handling, device security, staff training, and breach management. It also emphasizes collaboration with IT support for technical queries and highlights improvements in the Toolkit's layout and question clarity.

Community Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship Programme (CPTAP) 2025, is an initiative by NHS England to bolster the community pharmacy workforce. The program offers £15,053 per trainee annually for two years to support pharmacies in training pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians (PTPTs), enabling them to become registered pharmacy technicians. Community Pharmacy England has announced the launch of this program, detailing the funding opportunities and application process, which requires pharmacies to submit an online expression of interest by June 15, 2025. Participating contractors are responsible for recruiting PTPTs, providing comprehensive workplace training, and ensuring adequate supervision by designated educational and practice supervisors. The program aims to align with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) standards for pharmacy technicians, promoting the expansion of clinical services within community pharmacies.https://cpe.org.uk/our-news/funding-for-community-pharmacy-technician-apprenticeship-programme-2025/

This podcast outlines the NHS England Pharmacy Quality Scheme (PQS), an initiative within the Community Pharmacy contractual framework that rewards pharmacies for meeting specific quality criteria. The PQS aims to improve clinical effectiveness, patient safety, and patient experience. The document outlines the specific requirements for the 2025/26 scheme, including a gateway requirement to deliver certain NHS services. Key areas addressed by the PQS include medicines optimisation, with focuses on palliative care and respiratory health, and patient safety, covering topics like Pharmacy First consultations, emergency hormonal contraception provision, and mandatory DBS checks for staff.

This Podcast details significant regulatory changes affecting community pharmacies, specifically focusing on alterations to Distance Selling Premises (DSP) rules and core opening hours. These amendments, agreed upon in recent negotiations with NHS entities, aim to update operational requirements for pharmacies, such as restricting face-to-face services at DSP locations and introducing a new, more flexible route for altering core hours to better meet patient needs. The changes are scheduled to come into effect on June 23, 2025, with further information provided through briefings

A comprehensive overview of Lyme disease in the UK, covering its symptoms, diagnosis, and management. They explain that it is a bacterial infection spread by tick bites, often presenting with a characteristic "bullseye" rash. The texts detail various testing methods, emphasizing the importance of combining clinical assessment with laboratory results, and provide detailed guidance on antibiotic treatments for different presentations of the disease in both adults and children. Additionally, the sources address ongoing symptoms after treatment, the potential for re-infection, and considerations for pregnant women and their babies.

This podcast discusses the ongoing challenge of medicine shortages faced by community pharmacies, emphasizing the daily struggle to source medications. It highlights a recent report indicating the severity of the issue, with most pharmacy teams dealing with shortages frequently and reporting risks to patient health. The text also explains the complex reasons behind shortages, ranging from manufacturing problems and supply chain disruptions to economic factors and increased demand, and provides guidance on how pharmacies can identify, report, and manage supply issues, including utilizing national tools and understanding notification tiers.

This is an outline with guidelines for pharmacists in England to treat shingles within the NHS Pharmacy First service. One document provides a Patient Group Direction (PGD) for supplying aciclovir, detailing patient inclusion/exclusion criteria, dosage, duration, and necessary record-keeping. Another PGD addresses the supply of valaciclovir, primarily as an alternative when aciclovir is unavailable or in specific patient circumstances like immunosuppression or difficulty adhering to the aciclovir regimen. The third source, an article for healthcare professionals, offers practical advice on managing shingles, emphasizing ruling out serious complications, taking a thorough patient history, understanding treatment goals, and considering factors like rash onset time and patient adherence when selecting antiviral medication. Together, the sources provide a framework for pharmacists to assess, treat, and advise patients with shingles, including guidance on referrals and safety-netting.

Explanation of the importance of Category M in the community pharmacy sector, specifically focusing on its role within the Drug Tariff and Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) in England. Category M serves as a key mechanism for setting reimbursement prices for generic medicines, influencing the retained margin, which represents a portion of the funding for pharmacies. Both sources highlight that this system is monitored by Community Pharmacy England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and adjusted quarterly based on market data to ensure a target margin is met. The texts also touch upon challenges related to product availability at Category M prices and the impact of branded prescribing on the generic market and pharmacy funding.

A discussion of the upcoming changes to the GP Contract in England for 2025/26, with a significant focus on enhancing the integration of community pharmacy services with general practice. A key element highlighted is the mandatory enablement of GP Connect functionality by October 2025, allowing pharmacists read-only access to patient records and the ability to send consultation summaries. This aims to improve patient care, streamline workflows, and reduce administrative burden for both GPs and pharmacies.

This podcast provides comprehensive information about Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), outlining their various symptomsthat can differ based on age and overall health. They discuss treatment options, including the use of antibiotics like nitrofurantoin for specific patient groups and self-care measures like adequate hydration and pain relief. The sources also emphasize the causes of UTIs, primarily bacterial, and offer preventative strategies to reduce the risk of infection. Finally, they offer guidance on when to seek medical attention, differentiating between non-urgent and urgent scenarios and outlining criteria for when a patient should be referred to a healthcare professional.

This podcast utline Patient Group Directions (PGDs) for pharmacists in England to supply antibiotics for infected insect bites and stings as part of the Pharmacy First service. Each PGD focuses on a specific antibiotic: flucloxacillin as the primary treatment, clarithromycin as an alternative for those with penicillin allergies, and erythromycin specifically for pregnant individuals with penicillin allergies. They detail the criteria for identifying eligible patients, conditions that exclude individuals from receiving treatment under the PGD, necessary training and competency requirements for pharmacists, and the dosage and administration of each antibiotic. The documents also provide information on potential drug interactions, management of adverse reactions, and the required record-keeping procedures.

NEW for 2025. This discussion outlines the NHS Pharmacy First service, a new initiative launched in January 2024 allowing pharmacists in England to treat seven common conditions and provide urgent medicine supplies. The service integrates the previous Community Pharmacist Consultation Service elements and requires participating pharmacies to have a consultation room, standard operating procedures, and business continuity plans in place. Pharmacies must utilize NHS-assured IT systems for record-keeping and data submission, and patient consent is needed to access their medical records, which will be updated via GP Connect. Compensation includes both a fee per consultation and a monthly payment tied to meeting specific clinical pathway consultation targets, with variations for distance selling pharmacies.

Quick summary on the HTCFS with some useful Pharmacy guidance and information regarding the NHS community pharmacy hypertension case-finding advanced service. They detail the service objectives, which include identifying individuals with high blood pressure, performing blood pressure checks and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) as requested by general practices, and promoting healthy behaviors. The sources outline the requirements for pharmaciesto provide the service, covering aspects such as staff training and competency, the need for a consultation room, necessary equipment and its maintenance, and communication protocolswith general practices and patients. Furthermore, the documents explain patient eligibility, the two stages of the service (clinic checks and ABPM), procedures for recording and sharing results, and details regarding funding, claiming payment, and requirements for record keeping.

Taken from the CPE guide from their website - some common misconceptions explained. This podcast uses the webpage from Community Pharmacy England and addresses common misconceptions about the Pharmacy First service. It clarifies various aspects of the service, including mandatory training, referral proceduresfrom sources like NHS 111 and GPs, and the appropriate handling of different types of patient presentations. The text also explains guidelines for dispensing controlled drugs and other medicines under the service, discusses record-keeping requirements, and specifies eligibility criteria for various clinical pathways, such as those for urinary tract infections and acute otitis media, even addressing limitations for distance selling pharmacies.

This Podcast outlines the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service in England, detailing how community pharmacists can supply combined oral contraceptives (COC) and progestogen-only pills (POP) under Patient Group Directions (PGDs). The service, which launched in April 2023 and expanded in December 2023, enables pharmacists to initiate and provide ongoing supplies of oral contraception, aiming to improve access and convenience for patients. Key aspects covered include the required pharmacist training and competency, patient eligibility and exclusion criteria, consultation procedures, and record-keeping requirements for both clinical data and payment purposes. The service will also be expanded in October 2025 to include emergency hormonal contraception consultations.