NHS Pharmacy First: Clinical Pathways & Workflow for Community Pharmacy Teams
A practical, service-ready course for community pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, trained support staff and pharmacy managers in England. Covers all seven Pharmacy First clinical pathways, referral routes and GP notification, consultation structure and red-flag recognition, team roles, workflow integration and service quality improvement.
Audio overview of this course — great for commuting or a quick preview 🎧
Pharmacy First is the most significant expansion of the community pharmacy clinical service offer in a generation. For the first time, pharmacists in England can assess, treat and supply prescription-only medicines for seven common conditions without the patient needing to see a GP — reducing pressure on general practice, improving patient access and creating direct, meaningful clinical income for community pharmacies. Getting it right matters: for patients who need fast, effective treatment; for GPs who need to trust the pharmacy referral pathway; and for the pharmacy's own clinical reputation and financial sustainability.
This course gives community pharmacy teams the knowledge and operational tools to deliver Pharmacy First confidently and efficiently. It covers all seven clinical pathways and their age criteria, how referrals and self-referrals work, how to structure a safe consultation and recognise when to escalate, and how to integrate the service into a busy pharmacy without disrupting dispensing or other NHS commitments.
What you'll learn
- ✓The purpose and structure of Pharmacy First and how it fits within the NHS community pharmacy service landscape
- ✓All seven clinical pathways — conditions, age criteria and key clinical features
- ✓The three referral routes: self-referral, NHS 111 and GP/urgent care referral
- ✓Consultation structure, red-flag recognition and appropriate safety-netting for each pathway
- ✓Same-day GP notification requirements and how to fulfil them efficiently
- ✓How non-pharmacist staff can support triage, booking and preparation — and where the boundaries lie
- ✓Workflow integration, stock management, quality audit and team training strategies
"Pharmacy First represents a major step forward for community pharmacy — moving from a dispensing-led model to a clinically active, access-improving service that puts pharmacists at the heart of primary care." —NHS England
Aligned with current service standards
This course is aligned with the NHS England Pharmacy First service specification, CPE service hub and FAQs, CPPE Pharmacy First learning programme, and current Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (2024/25 and 2025/26). The Pharmacy First service specification, pathway criteria, PGDs and referral systems are updated regularly. Always check the current NHS England and CPE pages before delivering the service.
👤W¤ Who this is for
Community pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, trained support staff and pharmacy managers in England delivering or planning to deliver the NHS Pharmacy First service. The clinical principles, consultation structure and workflow content are also relevant for pharmacy teams in Scotland and Wales delivering equivalent minor ailment services. This course supports — but does not replace —e CPPE Pharmacy First e-learning programme and pathway-specific training required before delivering the service.
⚠️ This course supports but does not replace mandatory Pharmacy First training. NHS England requires pharmacists to complete specific training before delivering Pharmacy First, including CPPE e-learning and pathway-specific assessments. This course provides contextual knowledge and operational preparation but is not a substitute for the required CPPE programme or PGD training. Always check current NHS England and CPE requirements before delivering the service.
This course includes
Course Curriculum
Frequently asked questions
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This course includes
- 📚 5 modules · 11 lessons
- ⏱ 2h 30m self-paced learning
- 🎧 Audio course introduction
- 📥 3 downloadable templates & checklists
- 📝 Knowledge assessment quiz
- 🔁 Unlimited quiz re-attempts
- 🏆 Verified certificate on completion
- ♾️ Lifetime access to content
Downloadable templates
- Pharmacy First Triage Checklist
- Pharmacy First Consultation & Safety-Netting Template
- Pharmacy First Team Workflow Readiness Checklist
Templates unlock after enrolment
Standards & currency
Written by UK pharmacy experts. Always verify against current official guidance before clinical use.
Certificate of Achievement
Complete this course and earn a personalised, printable certificate — with your name, course title and a unique certificate number. Suitable as CPD evidence for GPhC revalidation and GPhC inspection records.