Back in October, Community Pharmacy England (CPE) revealed that it was “seeking financial compensation” from NHS England (NHSE) for pharmacy owners affected by ineligible patients presenting for Covid jabs.
It said at the time that it had “written formally” to NHSE after reports of “high numbers of ineligible people” booking NHS Covid vaccinations following the “significant change” in eligibility this winter.
But in a summary of its November meeting discussions – published yesterday (December 1) – CPE revealed that NHSE had told the negotiator that pharmacy owners would not receive compensation.
Read more: CPE seeks ‘compensation’ for pharmacies over COVID jab chaos
“Further funding was not available”, NHSE said in its response, citing the “considerable work [it] had done to improve communications on this matter following CPE’s representations”.
CPE called the response “very disappointing” and said that it will be “highlighting this”, along with “all other pressures affecting pharmacies”, at the upcoming contract negotiations.
Community pharmacies are “one of the strongest performers when it comes to vaccinations, particularly in helping to reach deprived communities, but progress needs to be made by both government and NHSE in commissioning an economically sustainable service from community pharmacies”, it added.
“Considering preparations” for next contract
The negotiator also updated pharmacists on funding negotiations, explaining that committee members had met last month and were “considering preparations” for the next contract.
“CPE is continuing to make the very compelling case for investment in community pharmacies, working to influence policy and spending decisions,” it said.
And it added that closing the sector’s “longstanding funding gap” and “addressing operational pressures” remained the committee’s “central focus”.
Read more: Contract negotiations delayed amid government ‘conflict’
According to CPE, “in-depth discussions” also took place on “options” for a community pharmacy prescribing service and the “associated governance arrangements”.
Committee members set out what they “would want to see” in a nationally commissioned service while recognising that “affordability will also need to be considered in negotiations”.
It also noted that one of its subcommittees had “reviewed progress” on recent changes to pharmacy services and had considered the development of a “patient-facing website” to help “promote pharmacy services”.
Read more: Morrison: Risk services must be ‘stripped out’ if funding short
It comes after NHSE announced in October that it will “consult” with CPE on a national community pharmacy prescribing service from next April.
Meanwhile, CPE revealed last month that there continues to be a “delay” to negotiations as there is “still wrangling going on” between the Department of Health and Social Care (DH) and the Treasury as well as “conflict” with commissioners.
