Recent changes in the United Kingdom national health service (NHS) have increased the need for pharmacy services in primary care. Government documents have advocated a role for hospital pharmacists in the provision of clinical pharmacy services to primary care. A census survey was carried out to establish the extent to which hospital pharmacists have become involved in the provision of clinical pharmacy services to primary care patients and health professionals. Questionnaires were sent to district pharmaceutical officers in England (and their equivalents in the rest of the UK). One hundred and ninety‐three questionnaires were returned (92 per cent). Hospital pharmacists provided few advisory, educational or information services to patients and primary care health professionals, with the exception of primary care nurses. Pronounced variations in service provision were observed in different parts of the UK. Respondents gave reasons for their limited involvement and indicated that the provision of services is increasing.The survey shows that government policy on the provision of hospital clinical pharmacy services to patients and health professionals in primary care has not been implemented. The provision of such service is, however, increasing, mainly as a consequence of the NHS reforms and the movement of resources to primary car