The announcement of the funding settlement for the remainder of the 2018/19 financial year will not be well received by pharmacy owners in England. That, together with reinstatement of the temporarily postponed Category M overspend recovery, will create further cashflow and sustainability challenges for many owners, particularly independents. Unfortunately, this was predictable on the back of almost three lost years whilst the judicial review of the previously imposed and poorly implemented … [Read more...] about Planning for a sustainable future
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HLP – more than a tick box exercise
When we first developed the concept of Healthy Living Pharmacy (HLP) and evolved the quality criteria there was no Quality Payment Scheme (QPS). Pharmacy contractors and local commissioners chose to invest the time and energy because they saw it as the right thing to do. HLP’s roots are in change management and organisational development – developing workforce capability, ensuring premises and facilities are fit for purpose and engaging with the community to deliver consistent high quality … [Read more...] about HLP – more than a tick box exercise
Pharmacy’s role in Public Health
This month in Pharmaceutical Field I highlight the important role community pharmacy plays in supporting the public's health. https://www.pharmafield.co.uk/opinion/at-the-heart-of-it-the-vital-role-of-pharmacies-in-community-health/ … [Read more...] about Pharmacy’s role in Public Health
Digital Healthcare
I recently listened to a presentation on the NHS's plans for Digital Healthcare. They are huge, comprehensive and integrated around a new NHS App. They will eventually touch everyone who is either a provider or user of healthcare services. Worryingly, when I asked the speaker about community pharmacy's place in that integrated system, she went blank then said "...not sure community pharmacy is my thing." Community pharmacy and digital healthcare is very much the focus of this year's Pharmacy … [Read more...] about Digital Healthcare
Quality Payment Scheme 2018/19
The criteria for the second half of the 2018/19 Quality Payment Scheme have been announced with some changes to both the Gateway and the Quality criteria. The review point for this period will be February 15, 2019. We are pleased to see that Healthy Living Pharmacy has been retained with an additional public health capability requirement for the pharmacy team to have completed child oral health training in advance of a planned health campaign on this important topic in 2019. In addition … [Read more...] about Quality Payment Scheme 2018/19