Issue - meetings

The Bath and North East Somerset Health and Wellbeing Board has a legal obligation to produce and publish a refreshed Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) for the area by 1 April 2018.  The refreshed 2018-21 draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment is currently out for consultation for a period of 70 days from 11 December 2017 to 18 February 2018.  The Board is asked to consider the attached report.

11.05am – 25 mins – Paul Scott and Joe Prince

The Board considered a report regarding the refreshed 2018 – 2021 Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) which was currently out for consultation.

The PNA is a statement from the Health and Wellbeing Board which describes the provision of pharmaceutical services across Bath and North East Somerset, as well as assessing whether there are any significant gaps in the provision of local pharmaceutical services.  The key findings will help to inform the future commissioning and delivery of local pharmacy services by NHS England, the CCG and the Council.

The key findings of the report are:

·  There are no significant gaps in the current provision of easily accessible local community pharmaceutical services that serve all three PNA areas in B&NES.

·  Within the existing pharmaceutical provision there are a number of pharmacies that do not have wheelchair accessible “closed” consultation rooms.

·  It is anticipated that current pharmaceutical provision from existing pharmacies will be able to cope with the demand from new populations during the period of this PNA.

·  There are no known planned relevant local NHS services that could significantly alter the need for pharmaceutical services in B&NES.

It was noted that further work may be required to ensure that there is alternative provision for wheelchair users within a suitable distance of their homes.

Officers confirmed that substance misuse services were covered within the assessment.

It was noted that the majority of people still collect their prescription medication from their local pharmacy.  However, this may change in the future with more electronic prescribing and delivery services which could affect the viability of local pharmacies.  Seven day working is also becoming more prevalent so the term “out of hours” is becoming less relevant.

Officers explained that if a pharmacy were to close then this would lead to a gap being identified by the PNA Steering Group which meets regularly.

Local communities have been consulted as part of this process and satisfaction with pharmacy services is high.

RESOLVED:

(1)  To note the key findings set out in the current draft Bath and North East Somerset Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2018 – 2021.

(2)  To delegate authority to the co-chairs of the Health and Wellbeing Board to approve the final version of the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2018 -2021 following the end of the consultation period in February and any further amendments made in March 2018.

(3)  To agree the proposed arrangements for maintaining and keeping the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment up to date.