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 information

Community 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.