The platform, known as NHSmail Virtual Visits tool, combines Microsoft bookings and Microsoft Teams to “help manage and conduct remote consultations”, a spokesperson for NHS Digital told C+D yesterday (February 14).

NHS Digital is now working to support pharmacies that might use the tool, the spokesperson added.

The calendar in Microsoft bookings is “automatically synced with the Teams and NHSmail Outlook calendars so that NHSmail users can access all scheduled meetings from one place”, according to the Virtual Visits tool’s description on an NHS webpage.

Pilot research “will help support development” of tool

Patients at pharmacy pilot sites are sent a “custom link” to join the meeting without needing to sign into Microsoft Teams, while the patient’s family members or carers are also able to observe the session remotely.

Online meeting invitations to patients are also sent from the organisation, keeping clinician and admin contact details secure, according to the description of the tool.

In a statement published last month (January 19), PSNC added that the research produced by the pilot scheme “will help support the development of this tool”, to ensure “that it is as easy to use as possible for pharmacy teams”.

Last year, Well Pharmacy partnered with online GP provider Push Doctor to launch a pharmacist-led digital consultation service for minor ailments.

Meanwhile, in 2020 Boots UK trialled an online pharmacy video consultation service with digital healthcare provider LIVI, following a pilot in two Boots branches.

Patients self-isolating due to COVID-19 could access a Boots pharmacist via the LIVI app for a face-to-face chat about their medicines and for general advice, the multiple explained at the time.