DH sets out plans to scrap 100-hour exemption

I wonder what the actual timescales are for the possible implementation of such amended regulations? Will this induce a rush of last minute 100 hour applications?

Will the new regulations allow current 100 hour pharmacies to eventually reduce their hours if they can show little need for their service at certain times of the day, especially if these shorter hours still satisfied the PCT's PNA ?

Interesting times ahead.

Won't be a moment too soon if and when it happens. We've heard all of this before. 100 hour pharmacies should not be allowed to reduce their opening hours. If out of hours access is desirable then why would DoH allow a contractor to close earlier when it costs the money men no more to make them stay open.

I believe closure of the 100 hour exemption is both a positive move for safeguarding the pharmacy profession as well as amplifying patient healthcare.

Working in an area dense with pharmacies, I find it particularly hard to explain to a tax payer that they can chose one of 5 pharmacies all within a stone throw of each other. With so much cuts being made I'm suprised no one has raised this issue before? After all a bottle of Gaviscon from one pharmacy will be exactly the same from another.

Secondly, with so many 100 hour pharmacies, it is bringing down the professionalism of pharmacy. Having worked in 100 hour pharmacies there is no way the quality of service provided can be extended to full operational hours. Can you really walk in at 10pm and ask the healthcare assistant for a diabetes check? Or will you book an appointment for the next 'day light' hours when they have staff.

I care about the reputation of pharmacists and the profession itself. The only way we can do that is by bringing the quality back.

Chris

Does anybody with a 100-hour pharmacy have any comments to make?

Although i agree with the scrapping of the 100 hour exemption we cannot dispute it had given young pharmacists who wanted to own their own business to get on the bandwagon, as it is virtually impossible to open a pharmacy without a big pharmacy chain coming in with a blank cheque.
Also has anyone considered the strain it would put on pharmacists looking for work. With more pharmacy schools producing more prospective pharmacists into the circle and with the locum field already being clustered it is a difficult time ahead of us.