The Patient Access app has been extended following a successful pilot to support appointment booking beyond GP appointments.
Following a pilot with the Day Lewis pharmacy group, the app can be used to book appointments with services by community pharmacies.
Pharmacy services that can be booked via the app include in-pharmacy NHS services such as influenza vaccinations, smoking cessation support and Medicine Use Reviews (MURs) as well as paid-for private pharmacy services such as treatment for hair loss and a range of travel vaccinations through Patient Group Directions (PGDs).
Jason Keane, CEO, Patient Access “A key part of the NHS Long Term Plan is focused on driving patients to community pharmacy for clinical services. Patient Access pharmacy bookings will support this by enabling patients to search, view and book a wide range of services in their local area. It’s an exciting move that will harness the power of community pharmacy in a new way.”
60 branches part of the Day Lewis pharmacy group are now live within the app, and another 220 planned to follow over the next few months. The app has grown to over seven million users.
One of the benefits of the solution is the ability, with the patient’s consent, for pharmacists using ProScript Connect PMR software to send an electronic consultation summary of any service they deliver back to the patient medical record, where the GP can view it.
Sam Patel, Executive Director, Day Lewis “We’re excited to be the initial launch partner for pharmacy bookings within Patient Access. Community pharmacy plays a vital role within the health network and by enabling greater patient visibility of the services offered by pharmacies and more choice, we are able to support both patients and the wider health network.”
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Clinical Director, Patient Access “As a practicing GP for the last 29 years, I am all too aware of the pressures on general practice as well as the invaluable service that pharmacists perform. I am confident that that we can help reduce strain on GP services and increase patient satisfaction.”
