Pharmacy First Referrals from Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) in Watford and Hemel Hempstead to Community Pharmacies

Herts and West Essex (HWE) Integrated Care Board (ICB) is introducing redirecting patients with minor illnesses from Watford and Hemel Hempstead Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) to local pharmacies as part of the Pharmacy First service. This move aims to reduce waiting times at UTCs and ensure patients receive timely care.

Nurses at the UTCs will identify suitable patients and refer them to nearby pharmacies via e-mail to the pharmacy’s nhs.net e-mail address. Pharmacies in these areas should regularly ensure they check their emails for a referral where a patient identifies they have been referred by the UTC.

These pharmacy consultations will be counted as part of the Pharmacy First service, allowing pharmacists to treat a wider range of minor illnesses. Pharmacies may see a slight increase in workload but it is a soft launch so the impact will be small and not immediate.