Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Deferred
Paragraph: 106
Create new Establishment Payment for community pharmacies to develop patient consultation spaces.
Recommendation
We recommend the creation of a new “Establishment Payment” to be paid to eligible community pharmacies to support the development of consultation spaces for patients. This funding should be targeted at pharmacies that are the most reliant on NHS work as their main source of income and could be linked to a commitment to provide an agreed level of NHS service.
Government Response Summary
The government deflected the recommendation for a new 'Establishment Payment' to support consultation spaces by discussing pharmacy workforce integration within Integrated Care Boards and the ongoing exploration of how to best utilise pharmacy skills for future services.
Paragraph Reference:
106
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
In line with the ICS People Function guidance (Report template – NHSI website (england.nhs.uk)), the role of pharmacy leadership within ICBs is clear. The development of a one pharmacy workforce approach, within the multidisciplinary team across local systems will be supported by national and regional coordination, planning data, and guidance. This is highlighted in the Darzi investigation reinforcing that the pharmacy workforce in general practice are not a substitute for GPs but are part of the whole primary care workforce to expand access. Regional and national coordination and support of the ICB pharmacy workforce function will also mitigate issues relating to the size of the workforces and imbalances of training providers and training places. We are continuing to explore how to best use the skill sets in community pharmacy as we continue to deliver Pharmacy First and look to introduce a pharmacist prescribing service in the future. 19