Opinion: Let’s stick together

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Since becoming NPA chair, I have thrown myself enthusiastically into meeting senior officials, Government ministers, MPs, doctor representatives, suppliers, and, of course, many NPA members, to build the case for investment in community pharmacy across the UK.

I have also made dozens of media appearances to talk about the benefits of community pharmacy and the desperate need to address sector underfunding. It was also my pleasure to be asked to present at the recent Sigma conference in London, accompanied by our chief executive, Henry Gregg and NPA colleagues, as well as lots of other dedicated independent pharmacists and pharmacy owners.

When independents (including independent multiples) gather together to share their frontline experiences, it is a reminder of what makes us special – we tend to be highly responsive to the needs of our local communities and capable of implementing change swiftly. And we are typically ready to go the extra mile to care for our patients and communities.

We innovate, vaccinate, reassure, advise, listen and problem-solve. We connect with people when they’re worried, unwell or just need someone who cares. We hold together the bits of the NHS that no one else in primary care has time for.

Unanimous support

Like all NPA board members, I am a working pharmacist and understand completely what it feels like to be continually spinning plates and also in a constant battle to stay afloat.

The sector is over-dependent on a near-monopoly paymaster and faces higher than ever employment costs. Independents frequently hit cash flow problems and many businesses are propped up with the owners’ personal savings. That is why all independents need the NPA more than ever – to be their distinctive voice in the corridors of power, their story tellers in the media, and their provider of choice for education, training and business services that save them time 
and money.

Where it makes sense to do so, the NPA will always work with other pharmacy bodies in the interests of the entire sector. Despite rumours to the contrary, all three pharmacy associations represented on the Community Pharmacy England committee – NPA, IPA and CCA – unanimously supported the interim changes to the representation on the committee. This was necessary to move the process forward to start negotiations on the next pharmacy contract.

Meeting the Minister

I was also delighted that, following representations from the NPA to pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock, he offered a roundtable with all the pharmacy bodies. This took place at the end of last month and we had a wide-ranging, cross-sector discussion on policy, practice and funding. 

We put a clear case to provide a wider range of services in accordance with the 10 Year Health Plan – but only with a sustainable funding package that closes the gap identified by the NHS’s own analysis.

The NPA is determined to help independents evolve as sustainable and vital health and wellbeing providers, meeting the ever-changing needs of the population, addressing NHS priorities while also developing other clinical services.

The journey ahead will not be an easy one, but it is a journey best taken together.