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This won’t be a popular view in the eyes of pharmacy owners but the new funding deal in England has to be viewed through the prism of global geopolitical turmoil and tough economic times at home.
In this context, a 30 per cent uplift over the coming financial year, amounting to more than £800m, represents a decent return for Community Pharmacy England in its negotiations with the Government. So why the widespread disenchantment?
The answer is simple: the financial package announced on March 31, while impressive on paper, falls a long way short of meeting the full costs of providing NHS pharmacy services, as evidenced by the independent economic review. Most of the new money will be taken up by this month’s increase in business and employment costs anyway.
So the reaction from frustrated contractors is completely understandable – but the Realpolitik of the situation meant the Government was never going to correct a decade of chronic underfunding in one fell swoop.
The words “first step”, mentioned no fewer than four times in the CPE statement detailing the new contractual arrangements, do a lot of heavy lifting with regards to ongoing talks with ministers apparently committed to establishing a sustainable model for a sector on its knees.
Much will now depend on the outcome of the NHS 10-Year Health Plan and Government Spending Review, but contractors are entitled to more than a vague commitment to look at reimbursement reform. A detailed plan of action and time frame for closing the funding gap is the very least they are due.
There may be trouble ahead with DSPs no longer able to provide advanced and enhanced services to patients on pharmacy premises – bricks-and-mortar pharmacies will shed no tears over a move that rightly prioritises face-to-face care. However, in terms of clinical services development, the inclusion of depression in the NMS and EHC in the pharmacy contraception service is good news for patients.
Both represent a significant step forward in reducing inequalities and providing effective interventions for these vulnerable patient groups. It is also a notable vote of confidence in community pharmacy.
But for more of the same, the Government needs to splash the cash.
