Two new pharmacy services: NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service & NHS Pharmacy Blood Pressure Check Service 

Posted by: charlottefagan - Posted on:

In addition to the Pharmacy First scheme there are two further services to highlight that are aimed to remove some of the pressure from general practice, increasing system capacity and making it easier for patients to access appointments.

Each of these services are part of the nationally commissioned suite of services that community pharmacies are able to provide which enables Kent & Medway practices to sign-post and refer patients, to support you to be able to prioritise booking appointments for patients that need to be seen within the practice.

Kent & Medway ICB continues to work closely with local community pharmacies to drive the participation in these schemes, to maximise the opportunities for these colleagues to support our patients and healthcare system by providing these services over the upcoming winter and beyond.  

NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service (73% of pharmacies signed up to provide as of today)

Community pharmacies are an accessible and convenient place for people to receive advice and support for contraception management. Within Kent & Medway, many community pharmacies are now providing free of charge contraception services on behalf of the NHS which include:

  1. Ongoing monitoring and supply of oral contraception prescriptions for those already prescribed these medicines by their GP or sexual health clinic.
  2. Starting of oral contraception for those who are currently not prescribed these medicines.
  • The aim of the Pharmacy Contraception Service is to offer greater choice from where people can access contraception services and create additional capacity in primary care and sexual health clinics.
  • A person may self-refer or be referred/ sign-posted by their general practice or sexual health clinic (or equivalent) to a participating pharmacy.
  • The pharmacist will offer a confidential consultation and as part of that, will reach a shared decision with the person on the ongoing supply of their current oral contraception, ensuring clinical appropriateness.
  • To find a participating pharmacy please visit: Find a pharmacy that offers the contraceptive pill without a prescription – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

NHS Pharmacy Blood Pressure Check Service (88% of pharmacies signed up to provide as of today)

Within Kent & Medway, a number of community pharmacies are now offering free blood pressure checks on behalf of the NHS, for patients meeting the below criteria:

  1. For those over 40 who have not been diagnosed with hypertension: opportunistic checks available with the aim of identifying undiagnosed hypertension within the community.
  2. For those with diagnosed hypertension: adhoc checks at the request of a general practice. This can be done for example by sending a text message to patients to ask them to attend a participating pharmacy.

If you would like more information or to discuss how your practice can support patients to utilise these services, please email [email protected] for the attention of “pharmacy integration team”.