Contractual Updates – Action Required EPS/HCFS/Temporary Suspension of Services

The following communication was sent to all community pharmacies by the Pharmacy & Optometry Primary Care Commissioning Team Office of the West Midlands on 10th June 2026.

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Dear Contractor

Please can all pharmacy contractors ensure they are fully aware of recent changes to the contractual framework and take note of key reminders regarding adherence to service specifications. It is essential that contractors remain up to date with national guidance and incorporate these changes into practice to ensure continued compliance and high standards of service delivery. In particular, attention is drawn to the following:

• EPS Nomination Standards – New standards published
• Hypertension Case Finding Advanced Service – Reminder of Service Criteria and Claiming Requirements
• Temporary suspension of services notifications – Change to requirements

The Electronic Prescription Service: Nomination Standards

The Electronic Prescription Service Nomination Standards have been revised and published on 06 May 2026 and set out clear requirements to protect patient choice when EPS is used. Patients must choose their own nominated dispenser, which they can do at any time, including via the NHS App.

Contractors must ONLY change nominations at the patient’s request, explaining how EPS works, recording the nomination changes promptly, and must not influence patient choice or offer inducements. They must have clear, auditable processes; to show they are acting on behalf of the patient.  Third party apps, or webpages supporting nomination changes must also follow these standards.

It is important to note that these Standards MUST be followed.

The summary of changes is outlined below, but contractors will need to use the link below to make yourselves aware of the changes and ensure that all applicable Standard Operating Procedures are reviewed and updated accordingly.

The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) Nomination Standards

What does this mean for pharmacy teams?

Pharmacies can continue to set, change or remove a nomination, but only:

• when the patient (or their representative) requests it
• after providing clear information about EPS and nomination
• with an auditable record of who made the change (as captured in Smartcard logs)

Teams must not:

• routinely look up or monitor patient nomination status
• use tools that perform periodic, automated, or bulk PDS checks
• assume a patient wishes to stay with the pharmacy
• change nominations without explicit consent

Further guidance is available on the CPE website NHS updates EPS nomination standards – Community Pharmacy England

Hypertension Case Finding Advanced Service – Reminder of Service Criteria and Claiming Requirements

We have recently received feedback highlighting some variation in how the Hypertension Case-Finding Advanced Service is being delivered, particularly in relation to repeat blood pressure (BP) measurements over short timeframes, that may fall outside the intention of the service.

To support consistent and appropriate delivery, we would like to highlight the following key points from the service specification and supporting guidance:

• 4.12 In line with NICE guideline NG136, if hypertension is not evident, blood pressure measurement should be encouraged at least every five years and could be considered more frequently if blood pressure is measured close to 140/90mmHg, if blood pressure is lower than 90/60mmHg, or the patient has previously been diagnosed with diabetes.
• 6.8 If the pharmacy contractor is commissioned to deliver any related services, e.g. the NHS pharmacy contraception service (incorporating BP clinic measurement) as an advanced service within the community pharmacy contractual framework, the contractor may not claim twice for the same activity.

Further guidance is attached and the Hypertension Case-Finding Service – FAQs – Community Pharmacy England provides additional helpful clarification such as that bullet pointed, and we strongly encourage teams to review these alongside the service specification NHS England » NHS community pharmacy hypertension case-finding advanced service .

• Q. If a patient’s practice requires the patient to monitor their blood pressure over a period of seven days, can we provide the clinic check part of the service to support the patient? No, such checks are not within the scope of the service.

Our aim is to ensure high-quality, clinically appropriate delivery of the service, while also supporting correct and compliant claiming. We would be grateful if you could review current practice within your pharmacy teams considering this guidance

Changes to the reporting of Temporary Suspensions

From 1 June 2026, the Manage Your Service (MYS) will be the only route to notify ICBs of temporary suspensions/closures and the Approved Particulars updated to reflect this.

All times where pharmaceutical services are not provided during contracted hours must be reported.  Your pharmacy will need to review and update Business Continuity Plans to reflect any changes to process.

Further information is available here:  Managing a temporary pharmacy closure – Community Pharmacy England

Kindest Regards,

Pharmacy & Optometry

Primary Care Commissioning Team Office of the West Midlands

Email: nhsbsolicb.pharmacy-westmidlands2@nhs.net

Attachments:

Highlight-Summary-Blood-Pressure-Check-Service-July-2025

Top-Tips-Guidance-Pharmacy-Blood-Pressure-Check-Service-July-2025