Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Service (PIPS) in Cardiff and Pontypool

Prescriptions without going to your GP

At Health Plus Pharmacy, we are proud to offer a comprehensive range of healthcare services, including the innovative Pharmacy Independent Prescriber Service (PIPS). With convenient locations in Cardiff and Pontypool, our experienced pharmacists are here to provide expert care, ensuring you receive the right advice, treatment, and medication without unnecessary delays.

What is the Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Service (PIPS)?

The Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Service (PIPS) enables our qualified pharmacists to prescribe medication independently. This innovative service offers a convenient and efficient alternative to visiting your GP for specific health concerns. It’s designed to streamline your healthcare experience, giving you faster access to expert advice and the treatments you need, all while maintaining the highest standards of safety and care.

Why Choose Health Plus Pharmacy?

Fast, Convenient Care: Avoid lengthy GP waiting times. Our pharmacists can assess your symptoms, diagnose conditions, and prescribe the appropriate treatment directly.

Comprehensive Expertise: From managing skin infections or emergency contraception to addressing common ailments, our team provides professional support tailored to your needs.

Accessible Locations: With pharmacies in Cardiff and Pontypool, we’re local and easy to access, ensuring high-quality care is always within reach.

Trusted Professionals: All our pharmacists offering the Pharmacy Independent Prescriber Service (PIPS) are fully qualified and follow strict guidelines to ensure safe, effective prescribing.

Clinical conditions & circumstances that are covered on the Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Service (PIPS)

Contraception

• Emergency contraception

Ear

• Infection of the ear canal
• Build-up of earwax
• Middle ear infection

Respiratory tract

• Sinusitis
• Allergic rhinitis
• Sore throat / tonsillitis
• Oral thrush
• Other acute respiratory tract conditions

Skin

• Fungal and candida infections (excluding fungal nail infections)
• Acne & rosacea (topical treatments only)
• Inflammatory skin disorders and psoriasis (topical treatments only)
• Dry Skin
• Herpes Zoster
• Skin infections (e.g. Impetigo, cellulitis) & paronychia
• Skin reactions (urticaria, hives, bites/stings, etc)

Urinary tract

• Lower urinary tract infection
• Upper urinary tract infection (pyelonephritis)

Other

• Viral infection
• Pyrexia
• Bacterial conjunctivitis
• Gout exacerbation
• Constipation
• Migraine
• Other conditions covered by the All Wales Common Ailments Formulary where CAS supply is inappropriate

PIPS Consultations

At Health Plus Pharmacy, we provide a user-friendly and confidential service, with all consultations conducted by our Pharmacist Independent Prescriber in a designated private consultation area.

When necessary, a physical examination may be performed to determine the most suitable treatment or course of action. Before proceeding, the Pharmacist Independent Prescriber will explain the purpose of the examination and obtain explicit consent from the patient (or an accompanying adult for children and young people under 15 years of age).

Patients will be offered the option of a chaperone during consultations or examinations, in line with the pharmacy’s Chaperone Policy.

If additional support is needed, the Pharmacist Independent Prescriber will seek advice from an appropriate healthcare provider, such as local or out-of-hours general practitioners, NHS 111 clinical support, sexual health services, optometrists, or other specialists. Any advice received will be documented in the clinical notes.

In most cases, a single consultation is sufficient for conditions covered by the Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Service (PIPS). However, a follow-up consultation may be arranged to confirm therapeutic success or to provide second-line treatment, in accordance with good clinical practice for the relevant condition.

Record of the PIPS Consultation

During or immediately following the consultation, the Pharmacist Independent Prescriber will record relevant information in the patient’s clinical record using an approved clinical record system, and ensure that a detailed record of the consultation record is sent to the patient’s GP (unless consent for sharing is withheld by the patient) as soon as possible.

Treatment & Management

When treatment is offered, our Pharmacist Independent Prescriber will discuss the available options with the patient, outlining their respective strengths and limitations to support shared decision-making.

If a diagnosis is part of the consultation, the Pharmacist Independent Prescriber will explain their diagnostic impression, the rationale behind it, and provide a detailed action plan for managing the condition.

Where appropriate, the Pharmacist Independent Prescriber will offer recommendations for further care or follow-up required to complete treatment. This will include clear guidance on how and when to access such care, along with safety netting advice to ensure the patient seeks timely follow-up if necessary.

Supporting Your Health at Every Step

In addition to the Pharmacy Independent Prescriber Service (PIPS), we provide a wide range of services to help you maintain your health and wellbeing. These include NHS and private prescriptions, health checks, weight management support, and more. Whether you need advice, treatment, or preventative care, Health Plus Pharmacy is your trusted partner in better health.

Visit us in Cardiff or Pontypool

At Health Plus Pharmacy, we are dedicated to making healthcare more accessible and efficient for our communities. With the introduction of Pharmacy Independent Prescriber Service (PIPS), we are taking another step towards providing exceptional care tailored to your needs.

Visit us at our Cardiff or Pontypool locations today or contact us to find out how our independent prescribing services can make a difference to your health. Your wellbeing is our priority, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.