We recently wrote an article for Pharmaceutical Field on the increasing role of community pharmacy in England as the front door of the NHS supporting medicines adherence, treatment of common illnesses and as a major player in the prevention and protection of ill-health. It seems that the vision for pharmacy within the NHS Long Term Plan is finally being realised, enabling community pharmacy to play its part in addressing demand on NHS resources. The article can be viewed here.
Media
Accelerated use of EPS
We recently wrote an article for Pharmaceutical Field on the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on community pharmacy in England with particular reference to the accelerated use of the electronic prescription service as an integrated part of the NHS. The article can be viewed here.
Pharmacy Reset & Recover
As community pharmacy reflects on and learns from its excellent response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the time is now right to move forward and plan for reset and recover.
Large multiple pharmacy groups are already announcing significant restructuring and remodelling plans in response to the financial, operational and landscape challenges, but where does that leave independent pharmacy?
Negotiations on COVID-19 related costs have now begun plus discussions on next steps for implementation of the 5-year contractual framework. However, community pharmacy owners cannot wait and there is an urgent need to develop their own recovery plan.
The outcomes of our research through conversations with owners and managers of independent pharmacies has shown that pharmacy contractors and their teams are facing a number of critical problems:
- Financial
- Personal strain
- Feeling out of control and overwhelmed
- Team performance
- Capacity and time
- Competition
The Pharmacy Complete Reset and Recover Programme has been developed utilising all our knowledge, skills and experience and is designed to support all the required elements to help address these problems and create an effective business recovery plan specific to community pharmacy. Click on the link above to find out more.
The Community Pharmacist Consultation Service
We recently wrote an article for Pharmacy Magazine on why this service is important for community pharmacy in England as an integrated part of the NHS. The article can be viewed here.
HLP Criteria Self-assessment
The requirement for Healthy Living Pharmacies (HLPs) to reassess against the HLP Quality Criteria has moved from every two years to every three years. More information is available on the PSNC website.
With HLP becoming an essential requirement in the community pharmacy contractual framework from April 2020, monitoring will fall under NHS England Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework so maintaining the criteria remains a key requirement. This evidenced capability will become increasingly important as new prevention services are commissioned either nationally or locally through PCN service sub-contracting or local public health.
Pharmacy Complete can support pharmacy contractors to become, maintain and build on the criteria. Please see our HLP page by clicking here.