Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 83
Publish a long-term vision for expanding clinical services and roles within community pharmacies.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government and NHS England publish a long-term vision for the further development of clinical services in community pharmacy settings within one year. This vision should: a) include consideration of examples of success within locally commissioned services, and how these could be offered across England b) build on the seven health conditions covered by Pharmacy First and the delivery of blood pressure and oral contraception services by pharmacists; Pharmacy 45 c) commit to expanding the role of pharmacists in the management of long-term conditions d) commit to expanding the role of pharmacists in carrying out medication reviews and supporting medicine adherence; and e) be supported by a plan setting out timeframes for the delivery of new services and commitments to the allocation of realistic levels of funding to any expansion of services.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government outlines ongoing efforts to roll out digital capabilities for Pharmacy First and commits to ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the service via an NIHR study, but does not provide a comprehensive long-term vision for expanded clinical services with specific timeframes or funding commitments.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
83
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
Pharmacies play a vital role in our healthcare system. As set out in the Government’s manifesto, we are committed to expanding the role of pharmacies and to better utilising the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. That includes making prescribing part of the services delivered by community pharmacists. By 2026 all newly qualified pharmacists will have a prescribing qualification, with additional investment in upskilling the existing workforce to also become independent prescribers. NHS England is currently piloting how prescribing can work in community pharmacy in all ICBs, supporting a range of conditions. These pathfinders will then inform any future decisions about the service. The recent Darzi investigation flagged that there is a huge potential for a step change in the clinical role of pharmacists within the NHS. “Expanded community pharmacy services are likely to include greater treatment of common conditions and supporting active management of hypertension”. We have launched a 10 Year Health Plan to reform the NHS and make it fit for the future. The engagement on the Ten Year Health Plan provides opportunity for gathering ideas and evidence to shape future clinical service models in community pharmacy. The plan will set out a bold agenda to deliver on the three big shifts needed to move healthcare from hospital to the community, analogue to digital, sickness to prevention. This plan will be published in the Spring 2025.
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