This study aims to evaluate GP referral to community pharmacies in areas with differing levels of usage of this service to better understand what makes the service work (or not), for whom, how, when and why.
This service was previously known as the Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (NHS-CPCS) and is now known as Pharmacy First (NHS referrals for minor illness) – this is broader than the 7 common conditions.
What is involved?
- Allowing our researcher to interview GP practice staff who are involved in managing minor illness and/or referring patients to community pharmacies. Each interview would last up to one hour (via MS Teams).
- GP practice staff who are involved in making the referral will be asked to identify patients who are offered a referral tocommunity pharmacy. Staff will be asked to send a text message inviting these patients to participate in a survey. Text message to be sent using existing text messaging system you have in your practice. The text and survey link will be provided by the research team.
Remuneration
Reimbursement will be provided to GP practices for staff time in participating in the study. The value is dependent on staff role and it us up to £75 per one hour interview for clinical staff.
GP Participant Information Sheet
Funder
NIHR School for Primary Care Research
Start date: As soon as possible
NHS Ethics approval – 27 Feb 2025
IRAS ID: 348419; REC ref 25/YH/0012
Contact
imelda.mcdermott@manchester.ac.uk or johnny.phuong@manchester.ac.uk