Pharmacy First initiative and GP referrals – Pharmacy mentor Sue Dobson in conversation with pharmacist Anil Chauhan…

As an Alphega pharmacy mentor, Sue Dobson has worked with pharmacists across the country, helping them adapt to the growing responsibilities and challenges they face in their profession. One of the most exciting developments in recent years has been the Pharmacy First initiative, which positions community pharmacists as key players in patient care, especially through GP referrals.

However, Sue has seen firsthand that the success of this initiative depends largely on the strength of the relationships we build with GPs and how we integrate these referrals into our day-to-day operations. Some pharmacists have thrived by establishing strong, collaborative relationships, while others have struggled to break down initial barriers of trust.

In this conversation, she speaks with Anil Chauhan, a Preston pharmacist who, along with his partner Yasar Hussain, has made GP referrals a seamless part of their practice. Their success story is a great example of how perseverance, trust-building, and a proactive approach can truly make a difference in the Pharmacy First model.

Sue Dobson: Anil, you and Yasar have done a great job with the Pharmacy First initiative and GP referrals. Can you start by sharing how you first got involved with GP referrals and what made it successful in your practice?

Anil Chauhan: It all started with the Community Pharmacy Consultation Service (CPCS), where our local GP surgery began referring patients to us for specific conditions. Initially, there were some constraints, but as we built our relationship with the GP, things began to smooth out. We invested time in training, learning to manage conditions like ear infections and sore throats. Over time, GPs started trusting us more and more. That trust is really what made it work.

Sue: Yes, trust is absolutely critical, isn’t it? From my experience mentoring pharmacists across the country, I’ve seen how essential it is to build that trust over time. It doesn’t happen overnight—you can’t just show up and expect the GP to trust you with their patients. I always tell the pharmacists I work with that it’s about proving yourself with consistent actions.

Anil: Absolutely, I remember when we first started getting referrals from the GP, I would often spot small prescription errors—maybe a quantity issue or a potential interaction. Instead of just fixing it on my end, I would always call the GP to confirm what they intended. After doing that a few times, they started to see that I was paying attention and that I wasn’t just blindly processing prescriptions. It built up that rapport over time. Eventually, they knew they could trust me to handle things competently, and that’s when the referrals started coming in more regularly.

Sue: That’s a great approach, Anil. One of the things I see in my mentoring work is that not all pharmacists take the time to engage with GPs at that level. They sometimes feel hesitant to pick up the phone and question a prescription, but those small moments of communication can be crucial. What you did by consistently reaching out showed that you were invested in patient safety, which naturally leads to more trust. It’s something I always encourage—don’t be afraid to communicate with GPs, even if it’s just to double-check something. It proves your reliability.

Anil: Exactly, Sue. It wasn’t an overnight process. It took months of reaching out about minor issues, being consistent, and showing them that we’re on top of things. Now, the GPs are happy to send us referrals because they know we can handle it. It’s all about proving yourself through action, rather than just words Read More….