This PSNC Briefing provides an overview of how to become a Healthy Living Pharmacy (HLP) Level 1 via the self-assessment route.

In July 2019, following negotiations between PSNC, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I), HM Government agreed to make a five-year investment in community pharmacies. As part of this deal, it was agreed that from 1st April 2020, a requirement will be added to the Terms of Service that all pharmacies are HLPs Level 1.

It was also agreed that achieving HLP Level 1 status would be a quality criterion, which forms part of the Prevention composite bundle, for the Pharmacy Quality Scheme (PQS) 2019/20.

HLP update – extension to reassessment of competency period
The Pharmacy and Public Health Forum (PPHF) issued a statement in the NHS England and NHS Improvement PQS 2019/20 guidance recommending that the time period for a community pharmacy contractor to reassess their pharmacy against the Healthy Living Pharmacy (HLP) Level 1 quality criteria should be extended from every two years to every three years. The PPHF has also recommended that those who have been accredited locally, should also have their accreditation extended to three years.

The full statement is available on the HLP page of the PSNC website.

This Briefing has therefore been updated to include information on the exension of the reassessment of competency period.

PSNC Briefing 033/19: How to become a Healthy Living Pharmacy Level 1 (Updated october 2019)

If you have any queries on this PSNC Briefing or you require more information, please contact the PSNC Services Team.

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