Surrey pharmacists have seen their smoking cessation service axed in a cost-cutting “hatchet operation” by the PCT, C+D has learned.

From October the enhanced service, which is provided by 120 pharmacies across the county, will be cut, NHS Surrey confirmed. However, smoking cessation services offered by GPs in Surrey remain unaffected. 

The news had come “out of the blue”, said Surrey LPC secretary Martin Mandelbaum. He said: “The LPC is very disappointed. There was no consultation… up to three or four week ago we ran a smoking cessation training course, and the PCT was praising our enthusiasm.”

Other smoking cessation services had also been hit as part of a “major hatchet operation” to reduce the PCT’s budget, Mr Mandelbaum said.

The cuts come despite more than 3,100 patients successfully quitting across Surrey in 2008-09, 300 of whom accessed the service through pharmacies.

Parimal Amin, of Nima Chemist in Stoneleigh, said the service cut would affect both the pharmacy’s profits and patients’ health. He said: “It’s going to reduce our ability to earn a few pennies. And people on the scheme may go back to smoking… in the long term it’s going to be detrimental, and may even cost [the NHS] more.”

Parminda Kalher, of Westlake Pharmacy in Staines, said it was a pity the service had been cancelled. 

“We don’t do many [stop smoking interventions], but we do get a lot of enquiries. Obviously, we’re going tolose out,” she said.

The news follows reports from Numark of widespread cuts to pharmacy minor ailments schemes by PCTs, despite positive feedback from patients.

 In an official response, Lisa McNally, stop smoking service manager for the PCT, said: “We will no longer be able to fund payments to community pharmacists for the delivery of Stop Smoking Support from October 2010… this decision affects payments for the rest of 2010-11 but will be reviewed for next year.” 

Surrey PCT’s full response

Dr Lisa McNally, Public Health Principle & Stop Smoking Service Manager, NHS Surrey, said: “Last year the Surrey NHS Stop Smoking Service helped a record 4,106 people to quit smoking and I’d like to thank all the pharmacists who played a part in supporting those quitters. 

“I’ve recently written a letter to all the Surrey pharmacists involved in smoking cessation thanking them for their support over the years; my letter also informs pharmacists about the significant financial challenge facing the county’s NHS. In the light of this challenge, we have carefully scrutinised spending plans for 2010/11 and regret that we will no longer be able to fund payments to Community Pharmacists for the delivery of Stop Smoking Support from October 2010. 

“This does not mean that smoking cessation support will no longer be available through pharmacies in Surrey as some pharmacists have already indicated that they will continue to provide it. 

“This decision affects payments for the rest of 2010/11 but will be reviewed for next year.”

Reader views: are you concerned about service cuts in your area?

“I am. We had an LPC meeting on chlamydia and smoking cessation, in the hope of not having them cut. The PCT were dropping one liners that if targets weren’t met, they may cut it.” Amish Patel, Kent LPC

“I’m definitely concerned with the budgets… nursing home schemes, they’ve been cut, so pressure has been building up. The PCT is looking to remove enhanced services that aren’t providing optimal outcomes.” Mark Stone, South and West Devon LPC 

“We’ve not had any indication [smoking cessation] services will be cut. PCTs are more circumspect and less certain, but that’s to be expected in the current climate.” Michael Levitan, Middlesex Group of LPCs

To read Dr Lisa McNally's response to C+D's story, click here.