Point of care testing in community pharmacies guide
NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) have published guidance to support commissioners and community pharmacy contractors to develop clinical services that utilise point of care testing (POCT) in community pharmacy settings. This follows the commitment made by NHSE&I as part of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework agreement 2019-2024 to explore the use of POCT to help support efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance.
The document describes the standards and safe environment required for the use of POCT equipment and devices for diagnosis, monitoring and screening in community pharmacy. It also sets out key principles, signposts to relevant legislation, standards and resources to support the provision of services and provides a structured approach to establishing POCT.
NHSE&I recommends that the document is used as a reference and as guidance when planning, designing, implementing, and providing POCT services in community pharmacies.
