Action required: CPCS IT changes from 1st October
NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) previously announced that that funding for the Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS) IT systems was extended for an extra six months – until 30th September 2021.
From 1st October 2021, community pharmacy contractors providing the CPCS will need to procure their own IT support from the range of system suppliers in the market offering CPCS functionality. The relevant contracting decisions ought to be made well in advance of October i.e. by the latter half of August 2021 to allow appropriate set-up timings.
Two pharmacy IT systems already have the capability to receive the necessary CPCS referral messages, support the creation of clinical records and submit claims to the NHSBSA:
We are also aware of two other system suppliers that are working to develop functionality to support the service in the coming months:
- Positive Solutions (providers of the Analyst PMR system)
- Cegedim (providers of the Pharmacy Manager PMR system)
Software systems will need to meet the CPCS IT standards set by the NHS. These standards will be reflected in the CPCS Technical Toolkit*.
The funding for the CPCS is due to be reviewed in the current round of negotiations with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHSE&I. Information on any agreed revisions to the funding will be communicated to contractors as soon as we are able.
Read more about Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS) IT support
July 2021 update: The CPCS Technical Toolkit has been published and four suppliers are expected to align to this ahead of 1st October 2021.
