HEALTH FIRST PHARMACY – a revised minor ailments service from community pharmacies in C&H launches on 14^th September 2020

Health First Pharmacy is a 2 year pilot and MMT would welcome feedback from practices and service users about the service

Key resources about this service on this page are:

• FAQs for the service with a focus on the differences between HFP and Pharmacy First
• A short version of the FAQs so that reception staff can keep a copy to hand  to enable them to check on patient eligibility, conditions included in the service and referral information
• A webinar aimed at practice reception staff to enable them to signpost patients appropriately to Health First Pharmacy
• Treatment protocols for the 19 conditions
• The formulary for the medicines available for each condition
• The details of the C&H community pharmacies providing the service (To follow)

Eligibility criteria

Inclusions

Health First Pharmacy (HFP) is replacing the previous Pharmacy First service. The main differences with HFP include:

• Service now only available for those considered, ‘socially vulnerable.’ This is  mainly people who are exempt from ℞ charges in income related categories ( full details in the FAQs)
• Now only covers 19 conditions – previously there were 27
• Service now aligns with national guidance on OTC medicines so conditions considered to be self-limiting have been removed.
• Each patient can only receive  4 consultations from HFP in any 6 month period
• HUHFT A&E will be able to refer patients  - details to be finalised for this
• There are additional quality assurance criteria built into the service specification.  

How to refer