The NHS Choices website will shortly be testing an improved ‘find a pharmacy’ service.

The new search function will allow users to find the nearest pharmacy to them which is open at the time of the search.

Research on the way NHS Choices visitors use the current pharmacy search suggests that most are looking for an open pharmacy in the out-of-hours period.

The new search functionality is possible following the recent updating of NHS Choices pharmacy profiles, including opening hours, as part of the quality payments scheme.

Once the trial of the new search commences, 20 per cent of visitors to the current search will be redirected to the new search. Assuming it performs as expected, there will be a gradual transition of visitors to this search, with the majority being using the new functionality by the end of January 2018, according to PSNC.

NHS Choices is also developing new service searches for their homepage for distance selling pharmacies and dispensing appliance contractors.