Expansion of the Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS) and Changes to NMS

PCS and NMS expansions live from 29th Oct - Community Pharmacy England

NHS England issued a communication to all pharmacies across England confirming that the enhanced Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS) officially launched on Wednesday, 29th October 2025, as previously scheduled. The same date will also mark the implementation of updates to the New Medicine Service (NMS).

Summary of Upcoming Changes Pharmacy teams should take note of the following updates:

• NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS): The service will now include the provision of oral emergency contraception. Pharmacy technicians will also be permitted to deliver the service, and drospirenone has been added to the list of contraceptives available through the scheme.
• NHS New Medicine Service (NMS): Depression will be added as a new therapeutic area eligible for support under the service. The timing of consultations has been clarified, and subcontracting of the service is explicitly prohibited.

Recommended Actions for Pharmacy Teams Pharmacy owners and staff involved in delivering these services should:

• Review the updated service specifications and guidance documents if they haven’t already. 
• Ensure all relevant team members are familiar with the changes and feel confident in delivering the revised services from 29th October.
• Note that while no mandatory training is required for the inclusion of depression in the NMS, training on mental health consultations is available as part of the Pharmacy Quality Scheme for 2025/26.

Emergency Contraception and the PCS On-Demand  Webinar The on-demand version of the webinar and materials from the webinar which took place on the 9^th October can now be found here

Winter pressures and C-19 vaccination issues: Share your views

Community Pharmacy England wants to hear the views and concerns of pharmacy owners in Norfolk and Suffolk.

A new opinion poll is asking about concerns for your pharmacy business going into this winter and the impact C-19 vaccination eligibility confusion has had. The results will be discussed at the Committee’s November meeting and contribute to efforts to push for further improvements and support for the sector.

The short survey, open until 11.59pm on Monday 10th November, offers local pharmacy owners the chance to feed directly into the national negotiator’s work.

Read more here

Prize Draw Winners

Thank you to all of those who completed our Pharmacy Team Survey. The responses and information we receive help us to support you over the next year. We will share the results of this survey in due course, but for now, we would like to congratulate our three winners below on the £50 Love To Shop Vouchers.

Sylvanus, Boots Pharmacy

Georgie, Well Pharmacy 

Lyndon, Locum Pharmacist

The winners have all been contacted, and arrangements have been made for them to receive their prizes. 

NHS Health Check Online Pilot - Your feedback

The NHS Health Check Online pilot from the Department of Health and Social Care began in June 2025. Norfolk is one of only three local authorities in England selected to pilot this service for six months.

Participating GP practices - Great Massingham and Bayfield Surgeries and Drayton Medical Practice - have been inviting eligible patients to complete their NHS Health Check via the NHS App or online browser. For the blood pressure element of the check, the NHS Health Check Online directs the user to a nearby pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks if they do not have a monitor at home.

To understand your experiences and feedback so far from the pilot, we would appreciate it if you could respond to this very short survey. If you have any further questions on the NHS Health Check Online pilot, please contact: 

• Suzanne Wilkin, NCC Health and Wellbeing Commissioner (suzanne.wilkin@norfolk.gov.uk) 
• Rosie Christmas, NCC Advanced Public Health Officer (rosie.christmas@norfolk.gov.uk)

We will provide more updates on the NHS HC-O soon.

Norfolk & Waveney Workforce Health & Wellbeing

Please find attached information about the upcoming training course to develop a Workforce Health & Wellbeing Champion in your Pharmacy.

This training is appropriate for any member of staff who has an interest in the health and well-being of their colleagues. It is open to all staff, both clinical and non-clinical.

For full details and booking information, please click here. 

Have you completed the Mandatory Workforce Survey Yet?

The deadline for completion is Friday, 21st November 2025.

Click here for further information and to complete the survey. The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) sent the survey link by email in September. If you’re part of a multiple pharmacy group, the survey may be completed centrally. If you're unsure whether it's your responsibility or your head office’s, please check with your head office team.

NHSmail Rebrands to NHS.net Connect – What It Means for Pharmacy Teams

The NHSmail programme is evolving into NHS.net Connect, bringing a refreshed look and new features to support modern healthcare collaboration. Despite the rebrand, your NHS.net email address, login details, and helpdesk support will remain unchanged.

Top Tips for Pharmacy Teams

• Stay active: Log in at least once every 30 days to keep your account live
• Check access: Confirm the shared mailbox is linked to two personal accounts
• Use Teams: Collaborate via chat, audio, and video

Visit CPE NHS.net webpage or support.nhs.net for further guidance.

Key Dates For October 2025 & Upcoming Months

Pharmacy owners can find key dates for October 2025 and beyond on the CPCF Services and Terms of Service page.

This regularly updated resource helps pharmacy teams stay informed about national services and payment claims, ensuring you’re prepared in advance.

Pharmacy First National Health Campaign

Pharmacies are reminded that the first National Health Campaign started Monday, 20th October 2025, and runs until Sunday, 9th November 2025. 

More information can be found here. 

The Campaign Resource Centre also has promotional materials.

Please remember to keep evidence of how you have supported this campaign through your pharmacy; this could be pictures of display materials or evidence of engagement through your social media pharmacy accounts. 

CPPE Half day Pharmacy Technician Empowering Pharmacy Technicians to provide services PGD training workshop.

Sunday 25th January 2026 – 10am - 12.30 pm at Park Farm Hotel, Hethersett, Norwich, England, NR9 3DL

This session is to empower pharmacy technicians to apply their skills and knowledge confidently and competently when using Patient Group Directions (PGDs) to deliver NHS services using contraception, emergency contraception and smoking cessation services as examples.’

Full details, including learning outcomes and booking can be found here using the keycode: CPNSPGD CPPE Cancellation policy will apply to bookings.