The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has finally published its response to the 2022 consultation on hub and spoke dispensing.
Considering the consultation evidence and further discussions, the government has expressed its intention to progress the proposals for enabling hub and spoke models
across different legal entities as soon as possible.
This will be achieved by using the enabling powers outlined in Part 2 of the Medicines and Medical Devices Act 2021 (MMDA) to amend the Medicines Act 1968 and the
HMRs.
Furthermore, the DHSC has decided to proceed with the implementation of the two models of hub and spoke dispensing that it consulted on.
The government response to the consultation reads: "Having considered the responses, the government intend to proceed to implement the necessary changes to medicines
legislation to remove the current restrictions that prevent the hub and spoke dispensing models from operating across different legal entities found in section 10 of
the Medicines Act 1968.
The Professional Pharmacists Association (PDA) has demanded efforts to secure greater support and recognition for community pharmacists from governmental
bodies.
In its written evidence provided to the Health and Social Care select committee's pharmacy inquiry, the PDA raised concerns about the well-being of pharmacists,
specifically for those who belong to minority ethnic groups and race and are subjected to bullying, harassment, and ill-treatment.
The association highlighted issues in the workplace that impact pharmacists' health and well-being, including chronic understaffing, sub-standard working
environments, an absence of protected training time, and experiences of racism, violence, and abuse.
Parallel to the PDA's advocacy, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) is intensifying calls for prioritising workforce wellbeing within the pharmacy domain.
Stressing the pivotal role of workforce retention in addressing current challenges, RPS emphasises the need for robust support mechanisms and equitable access
to mental health services.
PHOENIX UK has appointed Harry McQuillan, former CEO of Community Pharmacy Scotland, as Chairman of Numark, a community pharmacy membership organisation.
It has over 3750 members ranging from single store pharmacies to large chains, spread across the 'Four Nations'. The organisation provides its members with the
professional and commercial support they need to deliver exceptional care to local communities.
As Numark Chairman, McQuillan will be front and central of representing the interests of the members, and will help ensure policy makers across the UK understand
fully "the potential of community pharmacy."
Steve Anderson, Group Managing Director, PHOENIX UK, commented: "Harry brings to our Numark partnership an outstanding wealth of experience and understanding of
how community pharmacy can work successfully with government officials and politicians.
A recent report from Healthwatch England has highlighted that while people highly value the accessibility of community pharmacies, both in terms of
location and prompt service, they also encounter challenges in getting the most out of their pharmacy care experience.
The report titled 'Pharmacy: What People' is based on the research conducted by the organisation in November last year, involving 1,650 people who shared their
experiences of pharmacy services in England.
It showed the country's notable dependence on community pharmacies, with 72 per cent of respondents saying they have used a community pharmacy in the past three
months.
Usage of online pharmacies is considerably lower than community pharmacies, with only 18 per cent of individuals having used an online pharmacy in the past three
months, according to the report published on Tuesday (30 April).
Local pharmacists in England can now evaluate and provide treatment for patients with uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women under the age
of 65, without the need for a GP appointment.
The 'ByeByeUTI' scheme has been expanded across the country, following a successful pilot across North East and North Cumbria.
More than 30,000 women have been treated for uncomplicated urinary tract infections at local pharmacies since the pilot scheme was launched in July 2022 as part
of the NHS and government's primary care access recovery plan, according to NHS England.
The expansion of pharmacy services not only enhances patients' access to care but also frees up tens of thousands of GP appointments at the same time.
Dr Faisel Baig, Medical Director for Primary Care, NHS England North East and Yorkshire, said that the rollout of this service across the whole region will enable
many more women to receive "faster and easier" access to advice and treatment.
With the UK General Election set for 4 July, pharmacy bodies are actively engaging with all political parties to secure support for the community pharmacy
sector. They are pressing parties to address urgent issues such as pharmacy closures and medicine shortages.
"The upcoming general election is a critical opportunity for us to strengthen supporters of community pharmacy in readiness for the new Parliament," said Janet
Morrison, chief executive of Community Pharmacy England (CPE).
She stressed the need for unity within the sector in advocating for community pharmacy and raising awareness of the issues with election candidates from all parties.
As the general election approaches, CPE has called upon all political parties to support pharmacies by "introducing a long-term sustainable funding model and
reviewing the medicines supply chain, including much-needed short-term relief measures."
The UK Parliament is preparing for a significant reshuffling of select committee Chairs, a process that will shape the direction of parliamentary oversight
for the coming term.
The temporary hiatus after May 30 due to the general election on 4 July 2024, will resume as a Liberal Democrat MP will serve as the next chair of the health and
social care committee (HSCC).
Among the most critical positions up for election is the Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee, which has been allocated to the Liberal Democrats.
As votes are casted to select an MP and the parliamentary landscape settles, attention is turning to what this means for the future of health policy in the UK.
Liberal Dems manifesto, released during the general election that took place in July, outlined a vision for a more equitable and sustainable healthcare system,
with a focus on enhancing accessibility and patient rights.
The Independent Pharmacies Association (IPA), in collaboration with the Association of Optometrists (AOP), the British Dental Association (BDA) and the
NHS Confederation has written to health secretary Wes Streeting, urging him to ensure sustainable investment in primary care to strengthen the NHS and better
serve patients.
In their letter, the group congratulated Streeting on his recent appointment as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and requested a meeting to provide
their joint constructive input towards improving health outcomes.
They expressed concern that recent administrations have failed to follow through on promises to properly integrate and fund primary care, leading to deteriorating
health outcomes.
"Our collective experience is that our National Health Service (NHS), and health outcomes generally, have suffered at the hands of recent administrations that have
talked much about the importance of properly integrating and funding primary care but not followed through with action," they wrote.
The associations emphasised the need to transition the NHS to a Neighbourhood Health Service, where more care is delivered within local communities to identify
problems earlier.
Community pharmacies are being forced to halt certain NHS and public health services due to escalating financial and operational pressures, a recent survey
by Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has revealed.
In the survey conducted ahead of the June Committee Meeting, an overwhelming 96 per cent of pharmacy owners reported having stopped delivering locally
commissioned services over the past twelve months.
Additionally, nearly one-third of the pharmacies surveyed indicated they had discontinued providing some Advanced services.
The survey also revealed that pharmacy opening hours are being reduced, with 81 per cent of respondents stating they had to stop offering extended hours.
In 90 per cent of the cases, pharmacy owners had to cease employing locum pharmacists, likely due to cost constraints.
Furthermore, over 20 per cent of the more than 2,100 pharmacies surveyed reported having to discontinue the free delivery of prescription medicines to patients.
Regular health screenings are an essential part of maintaining wellness, and one vital test for women is the Pap smear. Known for its role in early
detection of cervical cancer, the Pap smear is a simple yet powerful tool that can potentially save lives. In this blog, we will explore the significance of Pap
smears, what the procedure involves, and how often you should get tested.
The Importance of Regular Local Screenings
Staying on top of your health requires vigilance, and regular local screenings play an indispensable role in this effort. Local screenings, like Pap smears, are
essential in detecting potential health issues at their earliest stages, making treatments more effective and improving outcomes.
By participating in these routine checks, you not only safeguard your health but also contribute to broader public health efforts by identifying and addressing
potential outbreaks or health trends within the community. Whether that's HPV and Pap tests in Singapore or a mammogram in the US, local screenings are crucial
for maintaining overall wellness. This is especially true for Pap smears, as they play a significant role in detecting and preventing cervical cancer.
Change is sweeping through Westminster as the newly elected Labour government makes strategic cabinet appointments following their landslide victory in the
general election held on Thursday, July 4.
With Sir Keir Starmer stepping in as the new Prime Minister and Wes Streeting assuming the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care role, the announcement of
Karin Smyth and Stephen Kinnock as health ministers on Monday marked a pivotal moment in Labour's healthcare agenda.
Who is the new Minister of State for Health?
Karin Smyth, the Labour MP for Bristol South, has been appointed as Minister of State for Health.
Smyth has a robust background in healthcare, having served as a shadow spokesperson on health since December 2021.
Her previous roles include Shadow Minister for Northern Ireland and Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Commons.
Before her parliamentary career, Smyth worked as an NHS Manager and held a non-executive director position at an NHS Trust.
The Company Chemists' Association (CCA) has responded positively to the Labour Party's manifesto, which outlines plans to bolster community pharmacy
services and shift the NHS towards a more localized, prevention-focused model.
Key proposals include the creation of a Community Pharmacist Prescribing Service and the enhancement of care delivery in local communities.
Malcolm Harrison, Chief Executive of the CCA, expressed strong support for these initiatives and said:
"We welcome the Labour Party Manifesto's clear focus on moving to a 'Neighbourhood Health Service', prevention, and the return of the 'family doctor'."
"Harnessing community pharmacy is crucial to delivering each of these," Harrison added.