Question 1: Do pharmacists have enough time to implement the NMS?

What you said: Pharmacists expressed concerns over the timescale of the service in C+D's pre-Senate survey. While a quarter of pharmacists said they were almost ready to implement the NMS, 60 per cent said they were not ready.

What the Senators said: Senators agreed there was little time to prepare for the NMS launch in October. "We're only just getting the gist of what's involved now, and we're six weeks away from the launch," said Garry Michaels, pharmacist at The Heath Pharmacy, Bushey Heath. "I'm not quite sure why there's such a short timescale for the set-up, introduction and assessment of the service – I think a little more time could have been given to us."

But many Senators were confident pharmacists could deliver within the tight timescale. "We've heard from pharmacists that we haven't had enough time, but if you give more time, does that mean you will have effective delivery?" asked Mimi Lau, director of pharmacy services at Numark. "I think pharmacists are quite good at working to tight deadlines."

Chris Perrington, superintendent pharmacist at Sainsbury's, echoed the optimism. He told the Senate: "I can absolutely see the point of view of wanting more time, but I think we always want more time. You need to take the attitude that you want to make it happen and put the necessary resources behind it."

What the negotiator said: The tight timescales were largely down to "politics", said Senator Alastair Buxton, PSNC head of NHS services. "After introducing the process of engagement, there was a change in government, and often there were blocks in the way," he explained.

And politics also influenced the short timeframe the sector will have to provide evidence of the service's effectiveness, he explained, as the NHS Commissioning Board would take over national contract negotiations in 2013. "The rationale for the timescale is that nothing is getting agreed by the Department of Health for more than 18 months away," he said.