Published: Monday 21st March 2016 | 12.31pm
Cannock Chase Council urges Department of Health and NHS England not to undermine the community pharmacy provision with proposed changes.
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC), the Department of Health and NHS England, set out changes that they wish to make to the way that community pharmacies operate, together with an overall reduction in funding in a joint letter last December.
Community pharmacies provide a vital contribution to local communities and the wider healthcare system. The letter recognises the valuable contribution made by community pharmacies, but proposes changes to the way that they operate in order to deliver a contribution to the efficiency savings that the NHS must deliver.
Many pharmacies have extended opening hours and are open seven days a week. Not only do they provide prescription and non-prescription medicines, they also provide valuable help and advice. This can alleviate concerns and avoid the need for a visit to the GP, or even A&E. With the current financial constraints facing the health service, GP shortages and difficulties in getting GP appointments every effort should be made to support community pharmacies.
Councillor Muriel Davis, Portfolio Leader for Health & Wellbeing said “We all appreciate the financial issues facing our NHS service. However I would call on the Department of Health and NHS England to ensure that any reduction in budget or other changes to community pharmacy provision do not undermine it. Changes that are introduced to save money on community pharmacy expenditure may well have unexpected consequences and could increase expenditure elsewhere in the NHS.
I have sent a letter to the Department of Health expressing my concerns.
Anyone concerned about the proposed changes can find out more about them at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/putting-community-pharmacy-at-the-heart-of-the-nhs”
The consultation deadline for responses to "Community Pharmacy in 2016/17 & Beyond" has been extended to 24th May 2016.
Consultation responses should be sent to: