From 2026, all new pharmacists will be qualified as Independent Prescribers (IP), which means that they will be able to write prescriptions for clinical areas they have the relevant knowledge for. Ready for this, NHS England are working with local areas to explore how community pharmacists and their teams can use prescribing within the NHS in Community Pharmacy as part of a pathfinder pilot
The Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Pathfinder pilot is in addition to the Pharmacy First scheme. Four pharmacies in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are taking part in the pilot which enables them to prescribe medicines directly to patients for a range of additional on the day illness, without them having to see their GP. Two of these pharmacies are local to South Notts in East Leake and Brinsley.
Emma Anderson of Evans Pharmacy in East Leake is one of the IP pharmacists delivering the Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Pathfinder pilot. This means that patients can see Emma to receive NHS treatments for an on the day acute illness, including chest infections (patients aged 12 years and over), new onset skin conditions (patients aged 1 year and over) and new onset skin conditions (patients aged 1 year and over).
This service will usually be available at the following times, but patients are advised to call ahead (telephone 01509 852 810) or ask in the pharmacy to find out about these additional services and check availability:
- Mondays 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
- Thursdays 9am to1pm and 2pm to 5pm
- Fridays 9am to 2pm
This has the potential to significantly improve the access to a range of NHS treatments for on the day acute illness for residents of East Leake, Keyworth, Ruddington and the surrounding area in Rushcliffe, who would previously have had to make an appointment with their GP.
Further details about services available through the NHS Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Pathfinder at Evans Pharmacy, East Leake please see https://www.evanspharmacy.com/evans-pharmacy-east-leake-i49
Thamid Khan of Brinsley Pharmacy on Brynsmoor Road in Brinsley, is also taking part in the Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Pathfinder Programme. This means that patients can see Thamid to receive NHS treatments for on the day acute illness, including adult ear conditions, new onset skin conditions and chest infections.
This service will usually be available Monday to Thursday, with appointments between 9.30am and 5pm, but patients are advised to call ahead (telephone 01773 714 150).
For further information about the NHS Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Pathfinder in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, please email Preemal Solanki preemal.solanki5@nhs.net or Rebecca.dickenson7@nhs.net at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB.