Reading List

A curated Reading List to support and extend learning from the Autism Awareness for Clinical Pharmacy Staff course.

These resources are aimed at pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and other clinical pharmacy professionals with direct patient contact. Some guidance is UK- or Great Britain-wide, and some is specific to England; follow your national guidance, local pathways, and employer policies when applying them.

1. Core Pharmacy Standards, Equality, and Person-Centred Care

• GPhC - Standards for pharmacy professionals
  The core professional standards for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, covering person-centred care, communication, confidentiality, partnership working, and professional judgement.
  https://assets.pharmacyregulation.org/files/standards_for_pharmacy_professionals_may_2017_0.pdf

• GPhC - Standards for registered pharmacies
  Standards for the safe and effective provision of pharmacy services, including organisational and physical environments for care.
  https://assets.pharmacyregulation.org/files/document/standards_for_registered_pharmacies_june_2018_0.pdf

• GPhC - Equality guidance for pharmacies
  Practical guidance for pharmacy owners and teams on equality law, inclusive services, discrimination, and reasonable adjustments for disabled people and others who may face barriers to care.
  https://assets.pharmacyregulation.org/files/2023-02/gphc-equality-guidance-for-pharmacies-december-2022_0.pdf

• CPPE - Consultation skills for pharmacy practice: taking a person-centred approach
  A pharmacy-focused consultation resource on communication techniques, addressing beliefs and concerns, and tailoring consultations so people can use their medicines effectively and make informed decisions.
  https://www.cppe.ac.uk/programmes/l/consult-p-02

2. Autism-Specific Learning and Clinical Guidance

• CPPE - Autism and ADHD: Supporting inclusive person-centred care
  A pharmacy-specific resource on supporting autistic people and those with ADHD, creating inclusive environments, adapting consultations, and improving access to medicines.
  https://www.cppe.ac.uk/programmes/l/autism-e-01

• NICE - Autism spectrum disorder in adults: diagnosis and management (CG142)
  Guidance on diagnosis, management, access to services, and engagement with care for autistic adults.
  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg142

• NICE - Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s: recognition, referral and diagnosis (CG128)
  Background reading for clinicians supporting children and young people where autism may affect communication or care planning.
  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg128

• NICE - Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s: support and management (CG170)
  Guidance on supporting autistic children and young people, including family-centred approaches, coexisting needs, and practical support strategies.
  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg170

3. Communication, Shared Decision Making, and Reasonable Adjustments

• NICE - Shared decision making (NG197)
  Guidance on embedding shared decision making in routine care, including communicating risks and benefits and using decision aids in consultations.
  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng197

• NHS England - Accessible Information Standard: implementation guidance
  Explains how NHS and adult social care organisations should ensure people with communication or information needs can access and understand services and receive appropriate support.
  https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/accessible-information-standard-implementation-guidance/

• NHS England - The reasonable adjustment digital flag action checklist
  A practical guide to recording, sharing, reviewing, and acting on reasonable adjustment information in health and care records, and how successful adjustments can be reused in future care.
  https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/the-reasonable-adjustment-digital-flag-action-checklist-what-you-need-to-do-to-achieve-compliance/

• National Autistic Society - Asking for reasonable adjustments
  A practical explanation of reasonable adjustments, why they matter, and examples that improve access to healthcare for autistic people.
  https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/mental-health/seeking-help/asking-for-reasonable-adjustments

4. Practical Resources for Use in Healthcare Encounters

• National Autistic Society - My health passport
  A practical tool to help autistic people communicate their needs, preferences, and adjustments to healthcare professionals. Useful for preparing and personalising pharmacy consultations.
  https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/physical-health/my-health-passport

5. Wider Training Context

• GOV.UK - Oliver McGowan code of practice
  The code setting standards for statutory learning disability and autism training for CQC-registered health and social care providers in England. Useful background on the current training framework and its expectations.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/oliver-mcgowan-code-of-practice

Use these readings to build practical skills in autism-aware pharmacy practice, person-centred consultations, reasonable adjustments, and the regulatory context for accessible care.