Smoking Cessation NEL
Varenicline via Patient Group Direction (PGD).
Commissioner:
North East Lincolnshire Council
Smokefree North East Lincolnshire:
The North East Lincolnshire stop smoking service is provided by the North East Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Service to the residents of North East Lincolnshire.
Referrals into the stop smoking service can be raised directly by the client via telephone, email, or online: Stop smoking | NELC
Each client will be assessed by one of the Wellbeing Services practitioners and if suitable, will be supported through a quit attempt which may include provision of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (direct supply through the wellbeing service) or the provision of Varenicline via PGD following referral into a participating pharmacy in North or North East Lincolnshire.
The North and North East Lincolnshire Varenicline via PGD service launched on 1st January 2026.
Contracted pharmacies receive electronic referrals for Varenicline directly from the smoking advisor through the local PharmOutcomes referral platform.
Pharmacists / Registered technicians assess each client’s suitability for Varenicline via PGD and if eligible, dispense and supply the initial titration pack.
Continuation of treatment: Subsequent supplies of Varenicline to support the 12-week quit attempt are requested by the smoking advisor during the behavioural support interventions and are sent to the pharmacy via PharmOutcomes on a fortnightly / monthly basis for the duration of the treatment program.
Clients are offered a 12-week program, although a 24-week program may be offered to eligible clients.
Details of each consultation provided by the Pharmacist / Registered Technician must be recorded in the Varenicline provision platform.
Resources:
The Varenicline PGD, Service specification and additional resources are available to download from the PharmOutcomes service platform.
Find out more about the NEL Health and Wellbeing Service and Stopping smoking by visiting their website:
Claims:
Invoices are raised automatically on the 5th of the month through the PharmOutcomes Varenicline supply platform.
