C-19 test distribution service: updates planned later in the summer
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Update: Following discussions with NHS Test and Trace, NHS England and NHS Improvement has confirmed an extension of the period of commissioning of the Community Pharmacy COVID-19 Lateral Flow Device Distribution Service (Pharmacy Collect). The service will continue to be commissioned, under the current service specification, until 30th September 2021.
View the news story on the extension of the service
The majority of pharmacies in England are participating in the NHS community pharmacy COVID-19 lateral flow device distribution service (‘Pharmacy Collect’) and in providing the service, pharmacy contractors and their teams are making a significant contribution to the nation’s efforts to beat the coronavirus pandemic and support the return of society to a ‘new normal’.
Contractors will be aware that the service specification states a review of the service will be undertaken at the end of June 2021.
The review is intended to allow the specification to be updated in light of experience of the rollout of the service, insight from user engagement and wider changes in Government and NHS Test and Trace policy on COVID-19 testing.
The service is currently being reviewed and NHS Test and Trace, the Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England and NHS Improvement have worked with PSNC to agree some changes which will be introduced later in the summer. All parties are currently working on the practical details of how these changes to the service will be introduced; information on the changes will be communicated to pharmacy contractors as soon as possible.
In the meantime, the service continues to be commissioned, as set out in the service specification until 29th August 2021, after which time, we anticipate the changes to the service requirements will be introduced.
Read more about the current service requirements and download resources
