Digital Health Record could unlock expansion of Pharmacy First, Says CCA-backed Tony Blair Institute report

Each person's digital health record (DHR) would be “single source of truth” for their health and care data – that currently sit in silos across hospitals, GP practices, pharmacies and phones

The Company Chemists’ Association (CCA) has voiced strong support for a recent report from the Tony Blair Institute (TBI), which advocates for the establishment of a ‘Digital Health Record’ (DHR) for every individual in the UK.

The CCA, which was interviewed as part of the report’s development, believes that the creation of a DHR could significantly enhance the NHS’s efficiency, improve preventative healthcare, and help the health service harness the full potential of artificial intelligence (AI).

The TBI report highlights that the current health and care system suffers from fragmented data, with individual records scattered across various providers, including community pharmacies.

This siloed approach often hampers the delivery of seamless and effective care.

A unified DHR, the report argues, would consolidate all relevant health data into a single, accessible record, ensuring that patients receive timely and appropriate care across the entire healthcare system.

One of the key benefits of a DHR, according to the TBI, is its potential to drive the expansion of the Pharmacy First scheme.

This initiative leverages the skills and capacity of community pharmacies to deliver a range of services, including screening, vaccinations, chronic condition management, and acute care.

The report suggests that a DHR would enable these services to be more effectively integrated into the broader healthcare system, enhancing their impact.

The report also recommends the launch of a new initiative, “Protect Britain,” a preventative vaccine and therapeutics programme that would report directly to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

This programme could position community pharmacies at the forefront of the UK’s preventative healthcare strategy, particularly in administering vaccines.

Dr Nick Thayer, Head of Policy at the CCA, welcomed the report’s findings, stating, “A ‘Digital Health Record’ would ensure that health and care data is harnessed to ensure that patients are seen by the right person, at the right time, and in the right place.”

Dr Thayer further emphasised the importance of including community pharmacy data in any DHR, noting that it is critical for a comprehensive patient record.

He urged the government to closely examine the report’s recommendations, particularly the creation of Protect Britain, and to recognise the vital role of community pharmacies in administering adult vaccinations.

"Any DHR must include all parts of a patient journey and care. Community pharmacy care (and the data that supports that) is critical to a successful patient record.

"This would allow pharmacy teams appropriate access to wider NHS records, whilst ensuring the care they provide is available across the health system.

 "The report rightly states that a Digital Health Record could be key to expanding the Pharmacy First scheme.

"It also offers a way to draw upon community pharmacies to deliver even more first-line preventative care such as screening, vaccination, management of long-term conditions and acute care," Dr Thayer added.