Navigating flu season

Navigating flu season How Optum technology can support your pharmacy

Introducing Optum

#1 clinical system supplier in:

At Optum, our mission is clear: helping people live healthier lives and helping make the health and care system work better for everyone. Bringing together advanced data and technology capabilities, deep clinical and industry expertise, along with our cross-industry relationships, we’re helping our customers tackle healthcare’s biggest challenges. We enable clinicians to operate at the highest level of their expertise by reducing administrative burdens, streamlining workflows, and providing intelligent decision support. We’re supporting the delivery of care through great technology, enabling neighbourhood working and the shift to prevention, optimising medicines, and driving equitable and ethical clinical research.

Primary care used by 4,600+ GP practices.

Community pharmacy used by 5,700+ pharmacies.

A&E acute care used by 30 trusts.

#2 clinical system supplier in:

Community care used by 37 trusts.

Acute hospital pharmacy used by 63 hospital pharmacies.

2

3

Community pharmacies in England are facing mounting pressures as they adapt to an increasingly complex healthcare landscape. While the introduction of clinical services has brought significant benefits to both patients and the sector, pharmacists continue to manage rising prescription volumes — driven by an ageing population, a surge in chronic conditions, and the impact of ongoing pharmacy closures. The rollout of the Pharmacy First service is well underway, with more patients accessing care directly through their local pharmacy. Increased public awareness is driving demand, particularly during the winter months when seasonal ailments like sore throats are prevalent. Although GP referrals have been inconsistent, we’re seeing a steady rise as the service evolves and success stories are shared across the sector. This growth is encouraging, but it also brings additional workload — especially when combined with the annual flu vaccination programme, which this year includes a new cohort of patients. Supporting your pharmacy this flu season

To help manage this growing demand, digital tools like Digital Gateway and PreConsult are supporting pharmacy teams by improving efficiencies and saving valuable time — freeing them up to focus on patient care. It’s an exciting time for pharmacy, with new opportunities to deliver frontline care. However, the challenge remains: community pharmacies are expected to handle increased patient volumes without proportional increases in support or funding. To alleviate these pressures, especially during flu season, embracing technology and streamlining services will be key to sustaining high-quality care. For over 20 years, we’ve been helping UK community pharmacies thrive and deliver better patient care. As services expand and challenges evolve, we’ve been there to support our customers in navigating change and embracing new ways of working. Discover how our solutions can help you to transform your service model and take your pharmacy to the next level.

Sima Jassal, Clinical Director, Optum

4

5

Engaging with patients Your team plays a vital role in encouraging patients to get vaccinated. However, we understand that they often lack the time or resource to effectively promote their flu services to the community. We know your pharmacy needs…

Our solution

Patient Access for Professionals Patient Access® is the UK’s leading independent healthcare app, supporting over 18 million users across the UK with a digital front door into both NHS and private healthcare services. Patient Access for Professionals (PA Pro) allows your patients to book appointments directly into your pharmacy using the online booking platform. By listing your services on PA Pro, patients can search and book services via the patient app, making it even easier to manage your availability and appointments in one platform.

Streamline appointment scheduling Patients can book their flu jab appointments online directly into your pharmacy via the Patient Access app, reducing the administrative burden on pharmacy staff whilst minimising wait times for patients. Enhance patient communication Automated reminders ensure your patients stay informed and prepared for their upcoming appointments.

A reliable platform that makes it as easy as possible for patients to book flu jabs at your pharmacy. A cost-effective way to digitally advertise flu jab delivery to patients in your area.

Click here to find out more

An easy-to-use platform to effectively manage services, availability and appointments.

6

7

Download your Patient Access poster We’ve made it even easier to promote the Patient Access app to your patients. Click the link to download your Patient Access poster.

Click to download

8

9

Streamlining flu jab delivery Pharmacists across the UK work hard to provide their patients with the highest quality of care. However, it can often be challenging managing day-to-day activities alongside vaccine delivery. By introducing technology that helps streamline this process, you can focus on delivering better patient care. We know your pharmacy needs…

Our solution

Improve workflow efficiency PreConsult integrates into the Outcomes4Health platform ensuring that all patient information recorded in PreConsult is passed securely into the Outcomes4Health ‘Flu template’ when saved. This partially completed record is then easily accessible via your Outcomes4Health ‘services’ page, allowing you to review and finalise the patient information before administering the vaccine. By streamlining this process using PreConsult, you can save valuable clinical time without compromising patient safety.

PreConsult A feature within Outcomes4Health®, part of the PharmOutcomes® platform, PreConsult allows patients to complete pre-screening forms electronically before their vaccination, saving an average of 3 minutes per flu appointment. Streamline patient assessments Patients can fill out their information at their own convenience, either at home or in the pharmacy. With pre-screening completed in advance, you’re free to focus on delivering patient care and maximising efficiency.

130,000+ flu vaccinations were delivered using PreConsult for the 24/25 flu season

A way to reduce the administrative burden that accompanies service delivery. A tool that supports patient flow throughout the pharmacy, reducing wait times and improving the patient experience.

Click here to find out more

10

11

How does PreConsult work?

12

13

Efficiency through integration Flu season presents many additional challenges for community pharmacy. To manage these effectively, you need robust systems that drive efficiencies across your daily workflows. Through integration, your pharmacy can provide safer, faster and more effective services. We know your pharmacy needs…

Our solution

Data-sharing between platforms Outcomes4Health allows you to record and administer the flu vaccine with the ability to write back into the patient record via ProScript Connect. By automating the transfer of information between Outcomes4Health and ProScript Connect®, there’s no need to re-key information, reducing the risk of inaccuracies and human error. This integration ensures you have access to accurate, real-time data, allowing you to track and manage your flu service delivery more effectively.

Data entry in PharmOutcomes By accessing Outcomes4Health through the ProScript Connect dashboard, you can easily enter vaccine details such as patient ID, batch number, and administration date into the Outcomes4Health template. Once the record is saved, the information is automatically transferred to the patient’s GP practice and the NHS Business Services Authority, ensuring a smooth and efficient workflow.

Click here to find out more

A reliable way to transfer information from your service delivery platform to your Patient Medication Record (PMR) system. An integration that minimises the time spent re-keying information back into the patient record.

14

15

How does the Outcomes4Health and ProScript Connect flu integration work?

Data transmission into ProScript Connect The system integration between Outcomes4Health and ProScript Connect ensures that all vaccine details are seamlessly updated in ProScript Connect, keeping the patient’s medical record accurate whilst minimising the risk of errors.

4+ million flu vaccinations recorded in PharmOutcomes platform during 24/25 flu season

16

17

Get in touch

If you’d like to find out more about how we can support you, speak with your local account director today, or get in touch at:

uk.communitypharmacy@optum.com

optum.co.uk/tech-enabled-services

Egton Medical Information Systems Ltd (t/a Optum) is a company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 02117205. Registered office: Fulford Grange, Micklefield Lane, Rawdon, Leeds, LS19 6BA. © 2025 Optum. All rights reserved.