Pharmacists - what does The Neighbourhood Health Plan mean for you?

Our colleagues, Nichola Halpin and Edwina Farrell, have recently covered The Neighbourhood Health Plan and the implications on NHS trusts and primary care. But what does this mean for pharmacists? With pharmacies found on almost every high street, looking to and investing in pharmacy is a crucial element to effectively deliver the Plan. 

For the last year, a pharmacy-first approach has rolled out across NHS trusts across England, local  health boards in Wales and regional health boards in Scotland, putting pharmacies as the first point of call for seeking healthcare advice and support. Patients are urged to speak to their local pharmacy before seeking further assistance, if required, in an effort to reduce GP and hospital waiting times. Minor illnesses and common clinical conditions can be effectively treated by local pharmacists with next to no waiting times for the patient. For many pharmacists accustomed now to delivering this service, the Neighbourhood Health Plan can be welcomed as an extending arm with greater support and investment to keep treatment local. Additionally, for many experienced pharmacists with vast knowledge of the common problems they see their patients suffer with on a daily basis, the additional trust and confidence England, Wales and Scotland are placing into their effective delivery of services will be welcomed.  

For local pharmacies considering growth and expansion in the next few years, businesses will need to consider carefully the additional pressures the delivery of the Plan may bring. Consideration should be given to whether additional staff will be required to meet demand, investment into pharmacy services that can be delivered and review of highest demand medication and services now to keep up when demand may increase. There will be incentives for NHS trusts to perform well, receiving additional investment for high performance and transition into foundation trusts or integrated health organisations. Therefore, additional funding is foreseeable, but local pharmacies will want to ensure they can meet and keep up with demand initially until such funding is realised.  

The role and impact of pharmacies was perhaps most noted during the course of the last five years and the impact of the unexpected pandemic. With shifts in delivery of healthcare and expansion and continued roll out of regular vaccines (and Moderna’s announcement today of a new vaccine manufacturing centre in the UK), and the general public’s wider awareness of healthcare problems and cures, it is a dynamic time for pharmacies. It is acknowledged this is not without worry, and the recent Netflix hit TV show ‘Hostage’, highlighted the potential crisis the UK could potentially one day see with supply chain issues restricting access to medication. It is essential then that pharmacies are planning effectively for business continuity, the impact of global developments and domestic changes on the ground that could impact the daily running of pharmacies we have become accustomed to over generations.  

Our Primary Care team at Weightmans can assist with all aspects of growing and analysing your pharmacy business, assistance with employment changes and issues and commercial review of contracts.  

Thanks to our trainee solicitor, Cara Hope, for her research for this.