| Weekly News Digest - 6th August 2026 |
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Supporting primary care integration and awareness of the Pharmacy Contraception Service All community pharmacies in the Thames Valley area are asked to note that the Thames Valley Integrated Care Board General Practice Prescribing Scheme is now live. This year’s scheme includes a community pharmacy target, aimed at encouraging stronger collaboration between practices and their local community pharmacy teams. It seeks to improve patient awareness and uptake of the Pharmacy Contraception Service, offering greater choice and helping people access contraception conveniently within their local community, while making full use of the skills and expertise available in community pharmacy settings.
As part of this, practice team members may contact local pharmacies to understand their capacity, agree referral processes and establish effective communication arrangements. Community pharmacies may see increased use of the service as practices raise awareness and signpost eligible patients to the Pharmacy Contraception Service. This work supports integrated primary care working, helping ensure local people can access the right care, in the right place, closer to home, while supporting the valuable role of community pharmacy. Further details can be found in the attached document. |
| Vaccine supply is being increased to support walk-in appointment provision and growing demand. NHS England has updated their guidance on vaccine supply and delivery to reflect this. The Find a MenB Pharmacy finder is now live. |
A new NHS‑funded pilot from NHS England, CPPE and RCPharm is supporting newly qualified pharmacists as independent prescribers. It offers structured early‑career support to build prescribing confidence and strengthen clinical decision‑making. It includes, online modules and learning resources, educational supervision, workshops, workplace‑based learning. Pharmacists annotated as IPs at registration will be eligible to apply. For further details and how to register please visit the CPPE website.
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NHS England publish IP guidance
NHS England has published two documents relating to the assurance of Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) clinical services and the commissioning of NHS prescribing services in community pharmacies. Read more |
Teach and Treat 2026/27 - Expressions of Interest now open
NHS England is inviting organisations to apply for funding to support community pharmacist Independent Prescriber development through supervised clinical learning and strengthened DPP capacity. Please complete the Expressions of Interest form by 23 August 2026, 11:59pm. NHSE will be hosting Drop‑in info sessions on 11 August (1–2pm) and 13 August (8–9pm). For more information, to request the guidance document or links to drop in sessions, please contact england.pharmacyteam@nhs.net.
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| Pharmacy owners and their teams, can all access the on-demand Stress Management and Building Resilience workshop on CPEs Wellbeing and support webpage. |
| Stoptober 2026 resources are now available to view and download from the Campaign Resource Centre. A whole calendar of campaign assets has been created to help encourage people who smoke to make a quit attempt this October, whilst signposting to a range of quitting support. |
| Pharmacy contractors are required to submit their Winter 2026–27 Bank Holiday opening hour declarations to support regional planning. Please complete the online declaration by Tuesday 11 August 2026, confirming whether you intend to open or close on each Bank Holiday date. Contractors wishing to vary their core or supplementary hours, or notify temporary changes, must submit the appropriate NHS England forms in advance. See here for further guidance on opening hours requirements. |
Community pharmacies must use Record a Vaccination (RAVS) for all NHS vaccinations from autumn 2026. Registration is open via the Record a vaccination website. Further guidance and short training videos are in the RAVS user guide, and the quick overview video is strongly recommended. Please note: MenB vaccinations recorded in RAVS do not flow automatically into MYS — these must be manually entered.
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Stay informed with the Pharmacy Academy podcast channel, a great source for weekly updates on essential pharmacy topics, powered by insights from NHS, CPE, and PGD guidance and AI generated for clarity. Stay connected, enhance your expertise, and dive into key pharmacy discussions—all in one place.
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Early Careers – Vaccination Training Saturday, 12th September, 9-12.30pm
Newly Qualified & Foundation Pharmacists – Book Your Place! A dedicated half‑day vaccination training session for Newly Qualified and Foundation Pharmacists will take place on Saturday, 12th September, 9am-12.30pm, at Long Hanborough Surgery, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29 8FQ. 12 places are available. To book, email office@cptv.org.uk. Please note: non‑attendance will incur a £100 fee. |
| Newly Qualified & Foundation Pharmacists – Book Your Place! A dedicated clinical development session for Newly Qualified and Foundation Pharmacists will run on Monday 28 September, 9am–1pm, at St Joseph’s Church (Main Hall) 36 Cookham Rd Maidenhead SL6 7EG (Parking available) There are 9 places available. To book, email: office@cptv.org.uk. Please note - non attendance will incur a £100 fee. |
Community Pharmacy Vaccine Education Webinar
A CPD certified live webinar equipping community pharmacy teams across the Southeast to deliver safe and effective immunisation. See attached flyer for forthcoming webinar dates - look out for next week's Digest for registration links |
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