NHS Pharmacy First Scotland is a new service which offers consultations and advice to patients with minor illnesses and is available in all community pharmacies across Scotland.  It replaces the Minor Ailments Service and is the biggest change to the community pharmacy contractual framework in recent years.

The Scottish Government focus is on increasing access to community pharmacy as the first port of call for managing self-limiting illnesses and supporting self-management of stable long term conditions in and out of hours and to improve pharmaceutical care and contribute to the multi-disciplinary team.

• PCA (P)(2021) 7
• PCA (P) (2023) 27

Supporting Documentation

• NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Privacy Notice
• Approved List of Products V30
• Consultation Pads Template
• SBAR Template
• Sample SBAR 1
• Sample SBAR 2

Assessment and GP Notification Forms

• Aciclovir Assessment Form and GP Notification
• Assessment Form & GP Notification Form – Hayfever 
• Assessment Form – UTI
• Flucloxacillin Assessment Form and GP Notification
• GP Notification Form – Impetigo
• Nystatin GP Notification Form

Patient Group Directions (PGD)

National PGDs have been developed to support NHS Pharmacy First Scotland and have been signed off for local use.  Four of these PGDs are now in place in Forth Valley.

• Aciclovir PGD – Herpes Zoster (Shingles)
• Minor Skin Conditions – Hydrocortisone
• Hydrocortisone PGD
• Nystatin PGD
• Trimethoprim PGD – UTI
• Fusidic Acid PGD – Impetigo
• Flucloxacillin PGD – Skin Infections (over 18 years)
• Beclometasone PGD – Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (over 6 years)
• Fexofenadine PGD – Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (over 12 years)
• Mometasone PGD – Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (over 3 years)
• Olopatadine PGD – Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis (over 3 years)

An additional PGD for Nitrofurantoin has been developed for uncomplicated UTIs and this antibiotic will be second line use in Forth Valley for uncomplicated UTIs:

• Nitrofurantoin PGD

Useful Links

• FV Community Pharmacy Website – Local Pharmacy First Extension Service
• NHS National Services Scotland – Pharmacy Services
• Community Pharmacy Scotland – NHS Pharmacy First Info Hub

Local Pharmacy First

The aim of the Local Pharmacy First Extension Service is to allow patients suffering from skin conditions, skin infections (in those aged 1-17 years), acute sore throats (in those aged 5 years and above) to access advice and treatment from community pharmacies without the need to visit their GP.  Community pharmacists will carry out a consultation in the pharmacy with the patient.

The service also allows those patients diagnosed with COPD who have a handheld card to access rescue antibiotics and steroids.

For information regarding National Pharmacy First Service can be found under core services.

PGD’s

• COPD: Doxycycline
• COPD: Amoxicillin
• COPD: Prednisolone
• Hydrocortisone PGD
• Flucloxacillin PGD
• Penicillin PGD

Assessment and Notification Forms

• Hydrocortisone GP Notification/Consultation Form
• Flucloxacillin Assessment & GP Notification Form
• Penicillin Assessment & GP Notification Form
• GP Notification of Treatment of COPD

Supporting Documents

• Dermatology Presentation
• Skin Conditions Patient Information Leaflet
• Pharmacy First Extension Service SLA

Training Materials

NES have developed a Pharmacy First Extension Service module which covers skin conditions and skin infections. This can be accessed on TURAS Learn.