EXCLUSIVE

The appointment of North East Bedfordshire Conservative MP Alistair Burt as pharmacy minister could bring a “fresh perspective” to the sector, pharmacy representatives have said.

The former foreign office official was appointed minister of state for community and social care last week. As well as pharmacy, Mr Burt has responsibility for primary care, adult social care, mental health, older people, and physical and learning disabilities.

Mr Burt replaces Earl Howe – who held the position for five years – and Numark managing director John D’Arcy told C+D that Mr Burt was “clearly a seasoned minister with a lot of parliamentary experience”, who could be a “breath of fresh air” for the sector.

But “it remains to be seen if he has any pharmacy credentials”, he said. “In any event, pharmacy will have to start again in winning over yet another minister,” he added.

Contractor and NPA board member Mike Hewitson agreed that Mr Burt could bring a “fresh perspective” to the sector.

Gerald Zeidman, chief officer of Bedfordshire LPC - which covers Mr Burt’s constituency – said the organisation was “keen to meet up with him”. “I’m sure we will be thinking up some fresh ideas to do things in a different way.”

Mr Burt’s lack of experience in the health sector was “not necessarily a barrier”, Mr Zeidman stressed. “I believe he has experience about communities and it will be a learning experience to understand what is happening in the pharmacy world,” he added.

But Graham Phillips, owner of Manor Pharmacy Group (Wheathampstead) Ltd, warned that Mr Burt’s lack of relevant experience “didn’t help”. The new pharmacy minister “probably thought” primary care only involved GPs and nurses and had “no idea” that the sector could help implement NHS England’s five-year vision for the health sector, Mr Phillips argued.

Pharmacy Voice chief executive Rob Darracott said he was pleased that the “pharmacy brief has been returned to a minister of state”, after being the responsibility of former parliamentary under-secretary of state Earl Howe.

PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe said the negotiating body was “pleased to note that [Mr Burt’s] responsibilities also include care for older people and integration, both of which are important areas for community pharmacy”.

What should Mr Burt prioritise in his new role?

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