NHS Digital has announced that it is introducing an improved naming convention for pharmacy shared mailboxes.
The new format is scheduled to be rolled-out to pharmacy NHSmail users in mid-September using the below convention.
| Shared mailbox email address | [email protected] |
| Display name | Pharmacy.ODScode (Pharmacy name, Town) |
The current naming system includes additional pharmacy address information within the shared mailbox email address.
After the change is made, an email notification will be sent to the shared pharmacy mailbox to advise the new shared mailbox email address.
An email alias will be created for the previous email address so pharmacy teams will still receive emails should anyone continue to email using the older and longer email address.
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has said that it has been seeking this change for several years, as feedback from contractors agreed that the original naming convention was too long and a shorter alias version would be preferred.
NHS Digital’s 2019 NHSmail survey results also supported the need for change.
Commenting on the change, Richard Dean, a community pharmacy contractor and chairman of the Community Pharmacy IT Group, said: “At our pharmacies, we’re looking forward to the new naming system coming in. It will be much easier for the team to give our shared account email address over the phone to local GP practice staff and others.”
