UPDATE: Pharmacy First information & resources from Isle of Wight CCG

Written by admin on Thursday 2nd August 2018

Following the recent changes to further improve the service, resources have now been updated for use in GP practices and community pharmacies. Read on for details...


The changes made have been instigated to encourage greater and more consistent use of the Pharmacy First service across the island, which will start to free-up unnecessary GP appointments in cases when treatment is possible at a community pharmacy. We aim to increase public awareness to the range of self limiting minor ailments that should be treated from community pharmacy rather than by requesting GP appointment and therefore change behaviours so that community pharmacy is the first place that patients go to in order to gain advice and self care.

The Pharmacy First service will be reviewed every quarter to monitor progress and success.

Changes made include:

  • The service can be now be provided by trained healthcare advisors under the supervision of a pharmacist
  • The use of a private consultation room is now optional. It should be used only when appropriate
  • Non-island residents are now also eligible
  • Pharmacies can 'opt-in' to have suitably eligible patients directly referred to them from GP practices
  • A directory of all 'opt-in' pharmacies is provided to GP practices to ease onward referral to providing pharmacies
  • Introduction of 'GP to CP' and 'CP to GP' referral cards to give to patients when appropriate (cards available from the CCG)
  • Shortening of the PharmOutcomes platform questions to make more efficient and less time consuming

Reference documents available from the engagement event are listed below:


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