To receive a verbal update on the Pharmacy First Scheme from the Integrated Care Board, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.
Minutes:
The Chief Pharmaceutical Officer and the Community Pharmacist lead from the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care System provided the Committee with an update on the Pharmacy First campaign. This was a result of a previous meeting in which Members requested to hear more on the work of pharmacies and community pharmacies. The update advised Members that by 2026 new pharmacists would be able to be independent prescribers and that there would be new forms of technology that would support in the management of this development.
The presentation highlighted that this was a focus for the ICS, to ensure that the correct methods and technologies were in place to support with the new developments. Another area of focus that was highlighted was the need to recruit and retain staff. This was a sentiment that was echoed by all aspects of the health care system and one which was addressed within the presentation. Members heard that Officers at the ICS were working with local universities and pharmacies to provide training opportunities as part of working towards pharmacists being prescribers by 2026. Another area of concern highlighted was how medicines would be delivered.
The Pharmacy First service and campaign launched on 31 January 2024and sought to continue the community pharmacist consultation service. Pharmacists that were signed up to the service had to agree to uphold the services and pillars of being a community pharmacist which included providing contraceptive care and blood pressure checks. The campaign had targeted engagement within pharmacies along with both national and local comms on what support was offered to inform members of the public the support that community pharmacy could offer such as contraceptive advice. This was in collaboration with the national system and campaigns to provide greater levels of support in communities and aid with a greater understanding of what pharmacies were able to provide.
The impact so far varied from area to area but the nationally validated data showed that community pharmacy had helped support people within their communities and overcome barriers on what support they could offer. Across the Borough and County, it was highlighted that over 3,000 consultations for pharmacy first had taken place and that in turn saved over 500 hours of GP and Urgent and Emergency clinician's time. Members were informed that feedback was relatively positive and that work was still needed in relation to Pharmacy First and Community Pharmacy.
Following the update on Pharmacy First, Members raised a number of questions:
Why were some elements of community pharmacy first inaccessible when a person reaches a certain age?
This was a result of national guidance.
Why were bigger pharmacies not as involved with the Pharmacy First programme?
Pharmacies were independent contractors, therefore it was down to the individual pharmacy company to decide whether to be a part of the scheme.
Did companies support apprentices?
There was a financial incentive for organisations to be part of this scheme and support the training of prescribers such as paid study leave.
Why did pharmacists not take up phlebotomy?
The current focus was on community pharmacy, and this was to reflect the need of the public, if the need for pharmacy to take up phlebotomy increased then it might be adopted.
Was there research that illustrated the impact of pharmacies on A&E admissions?
This was an area to look into but there had been concerns regarding the amount of trained pharmacists to obtain an accurate assessment of the impact.
From the Big Conversation item, it was highlighted that 19% of people had an issue with pharmacies not being able to source supplies. Was this a growing issue and was the UK the only country having difficulty sourcing supplies?
This was an international issue and there were many world factors impacting this.
How many community pharmacists had closed down in recent years?
Over the last two years, there had only been two community pharmacists that had closed in the county.
Would the extra services offered by community pharmacists be able to bring extra revenue?
The range of services available would be attractive enough to people to bring additional revenue.
Co-optee Dag Saunders left at 3:58pm.