July 2024
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This conference focused on next steps for pharmacy in England and priorities for the workforce.
With pharmacy services being highlighted as a focus in general election campaigning, the conference was a timely opportunity for delegates to discuss priorities for policy in the new parliament.
Delegates discussed initial delivery of the newly launched Pharmacy First scheme, which aims to give patients faster access to care and treatment for seven common conditions without needing a GP.
Sessions in the agenda looked at:
- progress with the scheme and options for expansion
- what is needed to address issues raised by stakeholders so far, including concerns over funding, staff shortages and time pressures affecting implementation
- the impact of medicine shortages and priorities for tackling medicine supply chain challenges to improve delivery of the scheme
- how joint-working between pharmacies and GP surgeries can be improved and next steps for engagement with local communities, including increasing service use and public awareness
- the impact the scheme has had on managing pressures within primary care so far
Delegates discussed the way forward for digital technologies to support the delivery of pharmacy, including improvements to digital infrastructure and compatibility across primary care, integration of patient records and electronic prescriptions, and safety and inclusion in the development of digital pharmacy.
With increasing demand for pharmacy and the range of services on offer through new schemes, the agenda brought out latest thinking on priorities for building workforce capacity, addressing workforce challenges and options for regulation to support safe care delivery with expansion of the profession. Sessions also looked at options for filling gaps in the short-term and the impact of incoming changes, including all newly qualified pharmacists being independent prescribers by 2026 and plans for increasing training places for technicians by 50%.
It was also an opportunity to assess options for future deals, as the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework 2019-2024 comes to an end this year. Delegates will consider ways of improving and supporting service development, addressing financial challenges in pharmacy, and the future use of pharmacist skills in supporting primary care delivery.
Keynote speakers who have agreed to take part include: Alastair Buxton, Director, NHS Services, Community Pharmacy England; Nick Kaye, Chair, National Pharmacy Association; Director, Hendra’s Pharmacy; and CEO, Community Pharmacy Cornwall; and Gisela Abbam, Chair, General Pharmaceutical Council. We are re-confirming the availability of speakers in the pre-election period.
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues in the presence of key policy officials who attended from DHSC; Department of Health, ROI; HM Treasury; and NAO.
The proceedings of the conference will be circulated more widely, to Parliamentarians, ministerial offices, and government and regulatory officials with an interest in the issues being discussed. All delegates will also receive a video recording of the conference.
