Minor Ailment Scheme North Cumbria CCG
1st April 2019
MAS SPECIFICATION 1st April 2019 -31st March 2020
Please ensure all staff are aware of the new specification and the changes to the eligibility criteria
North Cumbria Minor Ailment Service Specification 2019_20
MAS-North-Cumbria-CCG-Formulary-Oct 2021
3.4.1 Eligibility criteria
The eligibility criteria are based on relevant aspects of the national guidance general exception criteria. The guidance is intended to encourage people to self-care for minor illnesses as the first stage of treatment. However, the guidance includes specific exceptions that can be applied by community pharmacists in order to make a free supply under the terms of the Minor Ailment Scheme.
To note that being exempt from paying a prescription charge does not automatically warrant an exception to the guidance.
Community pharmacists can provide treatment without charge to the patient in the following circumstances;
- Where the pharmacist believes that in their clinical judgement, exceptional circumstances exist that warrant deviation from the recommendation to self-care.
- Individual patients where the clinician considers that their ability to self-manage is compromised as a consequence of medical, mental health or *significant social vulnerability to the extent that their health and/or wellbeing could be adversely affected, if reliant on self-care.
- Consideration should also be given to safeguarding issues.
*Significant social vulnerability could be considered if the patient was in receipt of, or if under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Universal Credit and meet the criteria
Or are named on:
- a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
- a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)
This would mean that a feverish child would not be entitled on the basis of age but those dependent on someone receiving income support would be entitled to receive paracetamol suspension.
Aug 2017
All pharmacies in Cumbria are able to offer the Minor Ailment Scheme. To do so please ensure the relevant staff complete the Minor Ailment Training requirements below
As of Aug 1st 2017, adults aged 18 and over can no longer be treated for PAIN, HAYFEVER OR OTHER ALLERGIES under the minor ailments scheme, in line with the CCG’s self- care agenda.
This will effect pharmacies contractors in ALLERDALE, CARLISLE, COPELAND and EDEN ONLY.
Self-Care and OTC Product Guidance for Healthcare Professionals
A detailed guide for professional use has been developed as part of the regional self-care campaign. This explains the rationale for why certain conditions may be suitable for self-care whilst highlighting any specific patient groups which may be excluded due to age or the chronic nature of their illness.
The document is to serve as a guideline for prescribers but does not remove the clinician’s right to decide the most appropriate treatment for a patient.
Self-Care and OTC Product Guidance
Self-Care and Medicines Available Over the Counter Summary
All pharmacies should have received Self- Care posters and leaflets from North Cumbria CCG.
Please ensure all your staff are aware of the changes.
MAS North Cumbria and Morecambe Bay CCG Formulary NOV 2017
Minor Ailment Training Requirements
To ensure that all pharmacists and pharmacy staff are accredited to deliver this service, the following requirements need to be completed within 3 months of the service launch.
Supervising pharmacists are required to complete
CPPE – Common Clinical Conditions and Minor Ailments and the relevant e assessment
CPPE Declaration of Competence needs to be completed for provision of a Minor Ailment
Service – MinorAilments DoC
-All staff providing the scheme should ensure they undertake the appropriate CPD, so that they
have current knowledge of guidance issued around the treatment if minor ailments and OTC
medicines.
-Attend Cumbria LPC/CCG training session if available
Accredited Medicines Counter Assistant are required to
– Adhere to a Minor Ailment Scheme SOP, have read the CPPE pack.
– Be signed off as competent by supervising pharmacist.
– Attend Cumbria LPC/CCG training session if available
MAS Consultation Referral Form Jan 16
Minor-Ailments-Scheme-Patient-questionnaire Sept v2
MAS Service Specification 15.16_v2 ( This is part of Cumbria CCG Contract)
All patients registered at a GP Practices in Cumbria will received free advice from your pharmacist. If they do not normally pay a prescription charge, pharmacies are able to provide advice and/or medicine for minor conditions free of charge.
MAS Prescribing Notes January 2016 vs2.4
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