Agenda item

Report attached to be presented by Gerald Tompkins / Sue White

The Board received a presentation summarising the report outlining the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment. It was noted that there are two purposes of the assessment which are:

a.    To determine if there are sufficient community pharmacies to meet the needs of the population of Gateshead

b.    To determine other services which could be delivered by community pharmacies to meet the identified health needs of the population

The Board were advised that this draft of the report has been developed through steering groups made up of the Council’s Public Health team, the CCG, the Local Medical and Pharmaceutical Committees and Healthwatch. It was also noted that as part of the assessment surveys were conducted of pharmacies and pharmacy customers and an analysis of health needs and current provision.

An overview of the current provision was presented. It was noted that all pharmacies are providing essential services such as dispensing, signposting and support for self-care and that advanced services (that require accreditation of the pharmacist providing the service and/or specific requirements to be met in regard to premises) are also offered across Gateshead. The Board were also advised of the locally commissioned services available as outlined in the report. It was noted that almost all homes within Gateshead are within 1.5 miles of a pharmacy.

It was presented that the opening hours of pharmacies in Gateshead are variable. It was noted that every pharmacy has to provide a minimum of 40 hours per week of provision and that there is one pharmacy in Gateshead with a 100 hour contract. It was noted that there are pharmacies open after 6pm and at weekends; however, fewer numbers are open on Saturday afternoons and Sunday. From the presentation it was recommended that NHS England and the CCG work with the LPC to review availability of pharmacy services out of normal working hours and implement any required changes.

A summary of provision from 2015 vs provision in 2018 was provided, it was noted that the current picture is that pharmaceutical services are broadly adequate although there are queries over provision available in the east of the borough. It was also noted that the number of pharmacies participating in the Pharmacy Minor Ailments scheme has increased from 11 to 45 and that 11 pharmacies have now registered for the Health Living Pharmacy scheme with 33 working towards this.

The Board were advised that there is to be a public and stakeholder consultation from 23 October to 22 December to consider whether there are sufficient community pharmacies to meet the needs of Gateshead and whether other services could be delivered by community pharmacies. A revised Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment will be brought to the Board for approval by March 2018.

It was asked what the Board’s thoughts were on online pharmacies as there are two operating out of Gateshead. It was noted that whilst there is little can be done about influencing the services offered by online pharmacies, Public Health have concerns that online dispensing services are not able to offer the holistic services that are encouraged elsewhere.

A concern about the lack of action on improving the availability of out of hours services was raised as this issue had been brought to the board previously. It was noted that whilst there is provision available for urgent pharmaceutical needs, the availability of general provision out of hours continues to be an area for improvement.

It was noted that the majority of people lack awareness of the services being offered by pharmacies beyond dispensing, such as flu jabs; however, it was felt that pharmacies do have a responsibility to promote their own services and to be proactive in their respective communities. It was suggested that a ‘Pharmacy First’ advert could be placed in a future Council News magazine. It was also noted that GP receptionists are trained to suggest alternative provision where appropriate to those calling for a doctor appointment.

It was asked whether more specific information was available about provision availability in the East of the borough, particularly about what kinds of people are using what pharmacy and what services. It was noted that this specific information is not available.

The licensing of new pharmacies was discussed and it was noted that it is difficult for small and independent pharmacies to be competitive against larger chain pharmacies such as Boots. However, it was also noted that this is the reason for pharmacies to offer ‘Healthy Living’ services to increase footfall as they will be making a contribution to the local community.

RESOLVED

(i)            That the Health and Wellbeing Board approve the proposed consultation on the draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment.