NCS Clinic: Our Vision for Pharmacist-Led Private Healthcare

A new chapter for National Clinical Services

National Clinical Services began in primary care: supporting GP practices, primary care networks and community health services with clinical pharmacy expertise. Over the years that work has grown — into workforce solutions, community pharmacy support, an established out-of-hours medication pathway in the Wigan area, and specialist transport.

NCS Clinic is the next chapter: a developing national network of private, pharmacist-led healthcare clinics, built around pharmacist independent prescribing, GP and specialist pharmacist expertise, community pharmacy partnerships and a future integrated digital healthcare platform.

Why pharmacy-led private healthcare?

Community pharmacies are among the most accessible healthcare settings in the country, and pharmacist independent prescribers are among its most under-used clinical assets. We believe they have the potential to play a far greater role in accessible private healthcare — from weight management and metabolic health to men's and women's health, travel health and preventative screening.

The proposed NCS Clinic model is designed to make that practical: an established central brand, planned clinical training and protocols, operational guidance and ongoing support — so that an eligible pharmacy or prescriber does not have to build a private healthcare business from scratch.

Built for two kinds of partner

For community pharmacy owners, the model explores how existing consultation facilities could host additional private clinical services, with branding, training, approved clinical pathways and marketing support.

For pharmacist independent prescribers, it offers a structured route to establishing their own branded clinic — whether in their own premises or in partnership with a community pharmacy — with access to proposed GP and specialist pharmacist advisory pathways.

A connected digital future

Alongside physical clinics, we aim to develop a dedicated NCS Clinic online platform: online appointment booking, virtual consultations where clinically appropriate, patient accounts, a clinic finder and a partner dashboard. The platform is planned, not yet available, and any prescribing or consultation functionality will follow the required clinical safety, information governance and regulatory assessment.

Our position on safety and regulation

NCS Clinic is a development project. Clinical services will only be introduced when the necessary professional, operational and regulatory arrangements are in place — including GPhC registration and scope of practice, CQC requirements where applicable, clinical governance, prescribing accountability, indemnity and UK GDPR compliance. Higher-risk services will only ever be offered where appropriately qualified specialist clinicians and approved pathways are in place.

Register your interest

We are inviting expressions of interest from community pharmacy owners, pharmacy groups and qualified independent prescribing pharmacists who would like to explore joining the network during its development. Early conversations will shape the model.

Register your interest at nationalclinicalservices.co.uk/ncs-clinic, or email yasin@nationalclinicalservices.co.uk.