The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has set out a checklist of five services it wants commissioned “quickly”.

The negotiator published its “five-point plan” calling for community pharmacists to take on a greater role in urgent supplies, minor ailments, long-term conditions, support for frail and older people and the diagnosis of respiratory disease yesterday (September 1).

Chief executive Sue Sharpe said PSNC wanted to state “very clearly and loudly" the difference that pharmacy could make through these services ahead of the next funding settlement. 

“Our objective is principally to get ministers and NHS England to address these in our next round of negotiations, and to focus on the opportunities on offer,” Ms Sharpe added.

PSNC first set out these aims in its 2013 vision document, but Ms Sharpe said the negotiator has decided to “articulate very clearly and specifically” these proposals for a second time following the failure to commission a minor ailments service in the 2015-16 funding settlement.

NHS England’s decision to commission a national pharmacy flu service showed it is "starting to see the value pharmacy offers”, PSNC said. “But progress is too slow and we believe they must speed up,” it stressed.

Local support

PSNC called on LPCs to support its work by downloading a flyer from its website and using it in any discussions with NHS England’s regional teams or local professional networks (LPNs).

“It may also be appropriate to show to other commissioners as further evidence of what community pharmacy can offer,” PSNC added.

The negotiator used figures from the National Audit Office and the Primary Care Foundation to estimate that an emergency supply service in pharmacies could save the NHS around £45 per patient. It also used findings from the Isle of Wight reablement service to estimate that increasing the sector’s support for frail and elderly patients could save around £2,000 for each prevented hospital admission.
 

Which service would you most like to see commissioned nationally?

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