CPPE has developed a short interactive e-learning programme to help you develop and integrate your services into local plans to improve the delivery of urgent and emergency care.

The growing pressure on accident and emergency services has been making news headlines over the winter months. Some reports have highlighted that many patients could be treated just as well at a community pharmacy.

NHS England’s ‘Urgent and emergency care review’ identified community pharmacies as a key resource in building a stronger, more sustainable system for the future. The review is now in the implementation phase and you and your pharmacy team need to be able to promote your role to commissioners and other healthcare providers, and be ready to provide services that improve patient experience and outcomes within local urgent and emergency care pathways.

Playing your part

You can support urgent care by helping customers to self-care, live healthier lives and optimise their use of medicines. According to the RPS, if more common ailments were treated in pharmacies instead of GP surgeries or A&E, the NHS could save £1bn a year. ‘Urgent care: playing your part’ is a short interactive e-learning programme which provides information, videos and links to resources to help you understand how you can develop your services and integrate them into local plans to improve the delivery of urgent and emergency care in your area.

The programme looks at:

• What is really causing the pressures on emergency services
• NHS England’s proposals on how the system should look in the future
• Pharmacy services that can make a difference
• Information from areas where these services have already been implemented.

The programme also provides support to help you engage with commissioners and local networks. The e-learning programme can be accessed via the CPPE website.