Hypertension Case-Finding Service: Information for Community Pharmacies

The Hypertension case-finding service is an advanced service which commenced on 1 October 2021. There are two sections to this service:

• Identify people with high blood pressure aged 40 years or older (who have previously not had a confirmed diagnosis of hypertension). By exception under 40 years can be provided the service as per service specification under pharmacist discretion.
• At the request of a general practice, undertake ad hoc blood pressure clinic measurements and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM).

Full resources for the Hypertension Case-Finding service including videos and templates can be found on the CPE website.

Training Support 

Please note this information is not endorsed by CPH.

 

We have developed a new resource (below) to help our community pharmacies overcome the challenges of delivering Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) by providing the support they need to successfully prepare for and better assist patients with the service.

Community Pharmacy ABPM Training Tool

• ABPM Action Checklist (word document)

ABPM is part of the hypertension service. If you have signed up to this service you should also have an ABPM machine and appropriately trained individuals available to carry out the initial blood pressure (BP) check and the ABPM itself.

The ABPM readings can be completed over a 24 hour period, or, if the patient would prefer to be monitored over a seven hour period, can have the monitor put on at the start of the day and return at the end of the day to have it removed. It is worth noting that each completed ABPM provides a service payment of £45.

Community Pharmacy England (CPE) have a webinar available which outlines how to ensure you’re offering the entire service from initial BP check through to completion of ABPM monitoring. There is also an article on the CPE website which outlines how Opticians and Dental practices are piloting referrals to pharmacies for blood pressure monitoring, this is due to be rolled out nationally by the end of 2024. For further information on ABPM, please see the CPE website.

Additional resources:

NHS Guide for patients  – This can be printed or shared as a link with patients to inform them of the ABPM process.

Please note that from 1 November 2024 the process for surgeries, within Hertsmere and Dacorum, to refer patients from their EMIS system on to PharmOutcomes for blood pressure checks or Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring to a pharmacy that is registered for a service will cease.
Please ensure that pharmacy owners work with their local practices to agree a local process that will work.

Presentation: The Community Pharmacy Hypertension Case-Finding Advanced Service

Slides: Hypertension Case-Finding Service presentation slides

A short presentation on Hypertension Case-Finding update and changes to the service

Hypertension service integrated pathway

This new pathway aims to:

1. Provide updated guidance on the diagnosis and management of hypertension
2. Increase awareness of referral links between GP and community pharmacy for hypertension
3. Increase access to services for patients
4. Optimise identification, monitoring and treatment of hypertension

For any queries, please contact: Itunu Oluremilekun, Prevention Programme Manager, Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB.

For more details on this please refer to the following:

• Formal letter from Herts and West Essex ICB regarding the new hypertension pathway.
• How the Hypertension pathway will apply to adults.

Hypertension flowchart

The digital referral system from GP practices for the Hypertension Case-Finding service is currently live – see flowchart for process.

We have put together a costing tool designed to help you assess the viability of the Pharmacy Contraception Service and estimate the potential payments their pharmacy could receive based on the number and type of consultations provided.

Campaign and promotional materials are available through the CPE website: Pharmacy First promotional resources

Campaign resources can be obtained from the Campaign Resource Centre for community pharmacy teams to support the ongoing Department of Health and Social Care blood pressure campaign.

The printed pharmacy pack for order comprises:

• 1 x A5 size counter display unit
• 2 x A4 poster
• 1 x A4 pharmacy briefing document
• 50 post consultation cards
• 200 ‘credit card’ sized pharmacy bag inserts

 Additional digital materials include:

• Digital screens •Social media •Digital partner print files •Communications toolkit

If your pharmacy delivers the NHS Blood Pressure Check Service, please ensure your details are up to date in the look up-tool and order free campaign resources from the Campaign Resource Centre.

Help your GP colleagues understand the service and refer appropriately.

• See our Information for GP Practices & Healthcare Providers.

We have compiled answers to common questions received from pharmacies covering areas such as training and competence, service delivery, and payments and claims. For detailed guidance, please visit our Hypertension Case-Fidning Service FAQs page.

• Hypertension case-finding service – service specification training requirements, self-assessment and resources for learning and development