The government may not commission any of the five services the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has prioritised for next year's funding settlement, the negotiator has admitted.

The organisation is not “naive” enough to think NHS England will commission all – or "maybe any" – of the services PSNC set out in its five-point plan in September, director of NHS services Alastair Buxton said at a Westminster health forum event yesterday (November 17).

In its plan, the negotiator called for the sector to assume a greater role in urgent supplies, minor ailments, long-term conditions, support for frail and older people, and the diagnosis of respiratory disease. It hoped NHS England would address these in the next round of funding negotiations, it said at the time.

Although the 2016-17 settlement may not include these services, Mr Buxton said PSNC had been right to set out the goals and "be very clear what community pharmacy could bring to the party right now".

Negotiations for next year's funding settlement will begin “when NHS England wants to start”, and PSNC is “ready at all times”, Mr Buxton added.

Earlier this month, PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe said the organisation has "no idea" whether a national minor ailments service will ever be commissioned.
 

How confident are you that any of the five services will be commissioned?

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