Agenda item

Community Pharmacies in B&NES

This report is in response to Councillors within B&NES having raised a concern about potential impacts on local pharmacies because of changes to the way that community pharmacies are funded. 

Minutes:

Paul Scott, Assistant Director of Public Health introduced this item to the Select Committee. Also in attendance were Joe Prince, Senior Public Health Research and Intelligence Officer, Jerry Long, Avon Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC) and Ben Holbrook, Larkhall Pharmacy.

 

He explained that the new contract had been implemented from October 2016 and a national representative body for NHS community pharmacy (the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee) had expressed concern about a potential national reduction of £113 million in funding in 2016/17 (a reduction of 4% compared with 2015/16), increasing to an overall 7.5% reduction compared with current levels during 2017/18.

 

He said that in recognising the risks to some pharmacies, the Department of Health have included a component of the new contract (the Pharmacy Access Scheme) that allows for some protection against these losses for pharmacies that are:

 

·  More than a mile away from its next nearest pharmacy (measured by road distance)

·  Is on the pharmaceutical list as at 1 September 2016; and

·  Is not in the top 25% largest pharmacies by dispensing volume.

 

He stated that local pharmacies are largely funded by NHS England and that if a pharmaceutical company wishes to open a new premises, they need to make an application to NHS England to do this.  He explained that unless there was a significant gap identified in the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA), then it was very unlikely that NHS England would approve a new pharmacy application.

 

Jerry said that these were savage cuts that, according to Government figures could see 3,500 pharmacies in England close, with around 8 – 10 in B&NES.

 

Ben Holbrook said within his pharmacy a staffing restructure had already taken place and that it was dependent on funding from NHS England. He added that he would like to see a Minor Ailments Service introduced as he felt that around 15 times a day his pharmacy saves people from having to see a GP.

 

Joe Prince informed the Select Committee that assessing the need for, and supply of, local pharmacy provision is done through a statutory process by the B&NES Health and Wellbeing Board.  It must undertake a PNA every three years, with the next one due in 2018.

 

Councillor Tim Ball said that he was concerned over the possible staff reductions at pharmacies and that this could be a danger for the public.

 

Ben Holbrook replied that a Pharmacist would always have to be present, but that at his pharmacy the Main Counter Assistant was now part time and this meant that Cholesterol and Diabetes checks were not always possible.

 

Councillor Eleanor Jackson how could local pharmacies be preserved and whether co-location within a premises such as a Post Office were possible.

 

Jerry replied that one pharmacy in Chew Magna was considering a co-location option. He added that a professional outlook would need to be maintained for pharmacy services at such a premises.

 

Ben Holbrook encouraged the public to use the services available at their local pharmacy to highlight their worth.

 

Councillor Lin Patterson asked how the demographic and geographic needs of particular areas be emphasised.

 

Joe Prince replied that feedback is provided through the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment.

 

Councillor Vic Pritchard, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Health said that pharmacies have a principle role in the preventative agenda and that he believed they have a large role to play in the future.

 

Ben Holbrook said that pharmacies had been integral in the success of the Sexual Health Prevention Clinics.

 

Councillor Paul May proposed that the Cabinet Member raise this matter with the Health & Wellbeing Board.

 

The Select Committee RESOLVED to;

 

i)  Note the potential impacts to local community pharmacy.

 

ii)  Note the process followed by the Health and Wellbeing Board for assessing any local gaps in provision.

 

iii)  Ask that the Cabinet Member raise this matter with the Health & Wellbeing Board.

Supporting documents: