Thursday 24th September 2026

Welcome to your weekly injection of local and national pharmacy news. As always, if you have any feedback or comments, please contact us by email at admin@cpdevon.org.uk.

Community Pharmacy Devon will be holding the AGM on Monday 19th October 7.15 pm virtually on Teams.    Alongside the AGM  there will be a special meeting to ask pharmacy owners to vote on the new model constitution in line with changes proposed and agreed by Community Pharmacy England  You can view the Annual report on our website here and details of the AGM including log in details and proposed constitution here.

Expression of Interests are still open for becoming a PTPT representative. To submit your expression of interest please complete the Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (PTPT) Representatives – Expression of Interest Form.

Please note that the deadline to complete this form has been extended to  Friday 2nd October 2026, after this date the team will get back to you to discuss the next steps in the process.

There is a presentation that provides an overview of the PTPT Representative role, including the responsibilities involved and information about the current trainee representatives you would be working alongside as part of the team. You can view this and further information by visiting the Community Pharmacy Devon website here.

The Devon and Cornwall Care Record (DCCR) gives authorised healthcare professionals access to a shared patient record, helping improve clinical decision-making and providing safer, more coordinated care. It brings together information from a range of health and care organisations across the region.

Community pharmacy contractors can access the DCCR free of charge, provided they meet the technical requirements, including having a static IP address.

What is a static IP address?
A static IP address is a fixed internet address that does not change. Think of it as a permanent postcode for your pharmacy's internet connection, allowing NHS systems to securely recognise and authorise access from your premises.

To illustrate how the system can be used in practice, a local pharmacist recently accessed the Devon and Cornwall Care Record during a patient consultation. The patient had already undergone three courses of treatment, none of which had successfully resolved their condition. As this was the first time the patient had presented at a community pharmacy, the pharmacist reviewed the patient's information within the Devon and Cornwall Care Record. Following this review, it became clear that the patient was suffering from a fungal infection rather than a bacterial infection and was therefore receiving inappropriate treatment. The pharmacist was able to support the patient in accessing the correct antifungal treatment. As a result of this intervention, the patient's condition was successfully resolved.

This example demonstrates how access to shared care records can support informed clinical decision making, improve patient outcomes, and help ensure that patients receive the most appropriate treatment at the earliest opportunity.

If your pharmacy is interested in accessing the DCCR, check with your internet provider whether you have a static IP address and contact the DCCR team for onboarding support at rcht.dccrsupport@nhs.net

• Can you effectively assess and correct people’s inhaler technique?
• Can you demonstrate all the steps to successfully administer an inhaled dose from all the inhalers used in your practice?

NHS Devon has launched its Let’s Talk Neighbourhood Health engagement programme, giving residents, patients, carers, health and care staff, and community organisations the opportunity to help shape the future of local health and care services.

There are several ways to get involved, including completing the Neighbourhood Health Survey, attending one of the engagement events taking place across Devon, joining local feedback groups or becoming a member of the new Devon People Panel.

The anonymous 15-minute survey is open until 2 October 2026 and explores people’s experiences of health and care services.

Book a place at one of the engagement days here.

If you have a positive news story to share with us please send it to admin@cpdevon.org.uk and it will be featured in an upcoming edition of the review. If featured, you will also win a surprise gift for you and your team up to the value of £25!

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