Two clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) – South Sefton, and Southport and Formby – jointly decided to halve the amount pharmacies are paid to deliver the ‘Care at the Chemist’ minor ailments service, from £4 to £2 per consultation, Sefton local pharmaceutical committee (LPC) chair Graeme Batten told C+D last Friday (April 7).

According to a letter written by Mr Batten to Sefton contractors – and seen by C+D – the LPC was first told of the CCGs’ intention to alter the service in February, when it was “made clear that pharmacy would be required to play its part in efficiency savings”.

Mr Batten said he provided a “detailed response” listing other ways the savings could be achieved, but learned in a letter sent to contractors on March 17 that the 50% reduction in fees would be imposed anyway.

As a result, 62 out of 76 contractors in the area have decided to withdraw from the scheme, Mr Batten confirmed.

"Agonising decision"

The "agnonising" decision to scrap the service was not taken lightly, Mr Batten said.

“We would sit down and talk, but the CCGs are not interested,” he added. "We want to provide the service, but it has to be viable – profit still has to be made.

“We’re very mindful of the fact [contractors] can’t risk losing business."

Mr Batten said he was “very impressed” with the way contractors had stood together against the fee drop, and described it as “quite unusual”.

An anonymous contractor, who withdrew from the scheme after the reduction was announced, told C+D last week that "it is good to see contractors – both independents and multiples – standing united against a cut in funding that was imposed by the CCG with little or no consultation”.

The CCGs announced in a press release last week that the scheme will continue, even though it will be available from "fewer pharmacies".

The range of medicines available on the scheme will be reviewed to make it “more efficient”, the CCGs added.

Worsening health inequalities

Rob Caudwell, a GP and chair of Southport and Formby CCG, said the commissioners understand how valuable ‘Care at the Chemist’ is for the area's “vulnerable and disadvantaged”. But Dr Caudwell added the CCGs “have to make savings” in a “challenging financial climate”.

In contrast, Mr Batten stressed that the LPC “has concerns from the point of view of health inequalities” in relation to minor ailments service coverage in the area.

MP voices concern

Mr Batten's view was echoed by Labour MP for Sefton Central Bill Esterson, who told C+D there could be “very serious implications” on vulnerable groups as a result of the service being reduced.

“It feels like the CCG is having to react and make some very poor decisions at the moment [because of financial stresses] and I’m afraid this is just the latest of them,” he pointed out.

The CCGs' plans are "very short-sighted", when pharmacies are already dealing with government funding cuts, he added.

Mr Esterson also claimed the CCGs did not give pharmacies enough notice. “Pharmacies are business and they need time to plan,” he said.

“In the end, this could cost more money if it takes up GP and A&E staff time, because people won't go to the chemist and get treated early.”

Click here for more C+D coverage of cuts to minor ailments services across England.