EXCLUSIVE

The multiples must join forces to secure a national minor ailments scheme, Well CEO John Nuttall has told C+D.

Mr Nuttall said he was "deeply disappointed" that a national scheme was not commissioned as part of the 2015-16 funding settlement in July. 

The multiples need to work together to create a "stronger voice" to engage with stakeholders and explain "what we are trying to offer", he told C+D at the opening of a rebranded Well pharmacy in north-west London last week (September 9).

There is already enough evidence to demonstrate the need for more nationally commissioned services, said Mr Nuttall. He highlighted a collaborative project between the four largest multiples to support patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and those on multiple medicines in Wigan and the Wirral.

"We took it to the NHS and they didn't commission the service. It means we need to start asking questions about how we are representing ourselves," he said.

Having a single representative body would be one way of giving the sector a "clear voice" and speeding up the "slow progress" towards greater engagement with the rest of the health service, Mr Nuttall added.

NHS England told C+D in July that the minor ailments negotiations with PSNC collapsed because they could not agree on a “price, specification and service model”. 

Does pharmacy need stronger representation?  

We want to hear your views, but please express them in the spirit of a constructive, professional debate. For more information about what this means, please click here to see our community principles and information