Walk in Consultation Service (WiCS4) – Local Pilot
A relaunch of the popular Community Pharmacy Walk in Consultation Service (WICS) has been approved by HNYICB.
WICS4 will launch on the 22nd of December 2025 and run until 28 February 2026.
The aim of the service is to relieve pressure across General Practice and Emergency Departments by offering screening and advice in the community for minor conditions that could take up valuable practice time and/or signpost more serious conditions in a more clinically efficient manner. The WiCS service makes high quality appointments with a registered pharmacist available to patients across the Humber and North Yorkshire.
The ICB will send a contract offer to all pharmacies who express interest. You can express your interest by emailing humber.lpc@nhs.net using the subject heading WiCS4.
All pharmacists intending to provide this service must ENROL on the new WiCS4 platform (once released), this can be completed in advance of providing any consultations. It is recommended that you familiarise yourself with the WiCS4 service platform prior to delivering the service.
A paper consultation template has also been created and added to the platform which can be downloaded and printed for use.
Supporting documentation (Annex D and Service specification) have also been added to the PharmOutcomes platform to support you.
Key points to note:
- The WiCS service is based on the same principles as the traditional Pharmacy First minor ailment consultation service. The key difference between WiCS and Pharmacy First minor conditions service, is that a patient can access the local WiCS service through self-referral when accessing a pharmacy for advice.
- This service does NOT rely on a referral being raised by an external party.
- Each consultation MUST be delivered by a pharmacist.
The following video explains how the Pharmacy First and WiCS service fit together:
NOTE: This video refers to the 2024 WiCS service, however the same principles still apply. The service fees quoted in the video for PF, WiCS and the local MAS scheme increased in 2025. Additionally, the number of conditions included in the local MAS service has increased beyond 28. Please refer to the local service specification for further details.
Service period: 22nd December 2025 – 28 February 2026.
The service follows the format of the national Pharmacy First Minor Illness service, however the route into the local WICS service is via direct self-referral from the patient or via the community pharmacy team.
The following fees have been agreed for the service:
| Consultation | Fee |
| WiCS Consultation: | £17/consultation in line with the national Pharmacy First Minor Illness service |
| WiCS Consultation which results in a MAS referral: | £12.90/consultation |
| WiCS Consultation which results in a referral into a Pharmacy First Clinical Pathway | £0.00 (payment will be via the relevant pathway) |
Any further questions about the pilot should be directed to: humber.lpc@nhs.net
