PQS
The Pharmacy Quality Scheme (PQS) forms part of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF).
It supports delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan and rewards community pharmacy contractors that achieve quality criteria in the three domains of healthcare quality: clinical effectiveness, patient safety and patient experience.
This year’s PQS launched on 1 June 2023 and consists of one gateway criterion (NMS) and three domains with annual funding of £45 million to support national health priorities. It builds on previous work around respiratory disease, antimicrobial stewardship and improving access to end-of-life medicines.
To aid contractors, attached is a document aimed to highlight upcoming important dates and training requirements. The full NHS England guidance can be found here. We encourage pharmacy contractors to review the guidance document to support understanding of the requirements for this year’s PQS. CPE guidance can be found here
Virtual Outcomes pharmacy training is now available about PQS 2023/24. You can view the flyer here and access the training on the following link.
PQS Aspiration Payment Window Open
Community pharmacy contractors can now make a claim for an aspiration payment for the PQS 2023/24 on the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) Manage Your Service (MYS) portal.
This payment is optional and not claiming will not impact a contractor’s ability to claim payment for the PQS 2023/24 during the declaration period.
If contractors wish to claim for an aspiration payment, they should review the requirements of the PQS 2023/24 and decide which domains they intend to meet when they make their PQS declaration between 9:00 on 5 February 2024 and 23:59 on 1 March 2024. The full PQS guidance can be found here.
Contractors who wish to claim an aspiration payment must do so between 9:00 on 4 September 2023 and 23:59 on 29 September 2023. The aspiration payment will be paid on 1 November 2023.
PQS – TARGET Treating Your Infection (TYI) Leaflets Report and Data Collection Tool
Community pharmacy contractors taking part in PQS will be able to access the TARGET TYI Leaflet data collection tool via the MYS portal from 1 September 2023. A printable data collection tool will also be available from the NHSBSA website.
Prior to carrying out the data collection, contractors will need to familiarise themselves with the findings and recommendations published in the report from the data collection carried out in the 2022/23 PQS available here.
Please find attached a letter and presentation about the Antibiotic Amnesty Campaign 2023 in the Midlands. The amnesty will run from Wednesday 1 November to Thursday 30 November 2023. It is not mandatory to participate in this campaign, but it ties in with the Prevention Domain of PQS. For your reference, please find a link to the PQS requirements here (see page 6 for Antimicrobial Stewardship).
