Agenda item

Sarah Leaver (Pharmacist, KCC Public Health) was in attendance for this item.

1.    Dr Ghosh introduced the Kent Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) for the Board’s approval. He explained the statutory requirement to produce a PNA every three years, which had been extended in this instance due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with a deadline of 1 October 2022 set by government. A breakdown of the PNA’s core functions was given, which included an assessment of the current provision of pharmaceutical services in the county and anticipated future gaps in service. He noted the assessment contained analysis of provision in each of Kent’s 12 districts, as well as their unique demographics and needs.

2.    Sarah Leaver gave technical overview of the PNA. She began by clarifying that the Assessment analysed NHS commissioned provision required to meet population needs only. She outlined the functions of community pharmacies, which included: prescriptions; advanced services; flu vaccinations; new medical service; and advanced services commissioned by NHS England which were not currently commissioned in Kent. It was noted that pharmacy services commissioned locally by KCC or the ICB were not included in the PNA. The work of the PNA steering group and focus on individual districts needs was explained, with it noted that health needs, deprivation and public access were the core considerations. The Board were informed that a series of field investigations had taken place to understand public access. Regarding the overall assessment, she confirmed that it was representative of June 2022, noting that following public consultation, the equalities impact assessment and mapping was adapted taking on board the feedback received. The Assessment’s conclusions were summarised with particular emphasis place on how future developments required additional pharmacy services in Ashford, Folkestone and Hythe and Maidstone.

3.    Mrs Chandler highlighted discrepancies in provision between local community pharmacies, she asked what information could be shared with residents to explain the services available and how complaints could be relayed to the appropriate authority. Mrs Leaver explained that public concerns related to the provision of services were forwarded to NHS England who were responsible for investigation, as the service commissioner. She informed the Board that pharmacy governance and standards were the subject of a national review, with the scope extending to recruitment and the workforce more generally.

4.    Cllr Hollingsbee remarked that opportunities to establish pharmacies alongside future GP practices should be encouraged by partners, particularly in the three districts with anticipated future gaps in service. She noted that irregular or short opening hours had a sizeable impact on public access, with improvements to public communication required by some providers. Mrs Leaver agreed follow up the points raised with NHS England and ensure that, when consulted in relation to the commissioning of new community pharmacies, that sufficient opening hours were highlighted as an area requiring consideration.

5.    Mrs Hammond asked in relation to the health and wellbeing of children and young people, especially SEND or unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, that the data included in the Assessment be updated to reflect the latest picture across Kent. She asked further that an officer representative from KCC’s Children, Young People’s and Education directorate be involved in the PNA steering group going forward. Mrs Leaver informed the Board that the PNA would be a live document and agreed to refresh the highlighted information before the final Assessment was published.

6.    Mrs Bell highlighted the benefits of postal prescription services, which could be arranged online. She noted that the service reduced demand on community pharmacies and prevented contact with vulnerable or ill residents. Mrs Leaver noted that distance selling had increased in use over recent years and that whilst some community pharmacies in Kent offered delivery, they were not paid for this service. She explained further than whilst advanced services were unable to be provided online, national investigations were underway to explore future delivery options.

7.    Cllr Harrison commented that the deployment of pharmacies alongside satellite GP practices should be investigated as means of bridging future gaps in the provision of necessary and essential pharmaceutical services in rural or hard to reach areas.

RESOLVED to approve the final Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment and note that the previously approved PNA process had occurred.