Agenda item

To be updated on the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment. (20 mins)

Darrell Gale, Consultant in Public Health, provided a presentation on the Wokingham Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) 2018-2021.

During the discussion of this item the following points were made:

·         The draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment was subject to a full public consultation from 1 November to 31 December 2017.

·         The Committee was invited to respond to the consultation.  All councillors had been sent details of the consultation.

·         Health and Wellbeing Boards was required to assess and publish a document outlining the local needs for community pharmacy services.  The previous assessment ran from 2014 to March 2018.

·         All applications for new or altered pharmacy provision were tested against the PNA by NHS England.  Previously a couple of applications had been rejected as they could not be supported under the existing PNA.

·         The Health and Wellbeing Board was informed of all applications.

·         There were 22 pharmacies in the Borough which equated to 15 per 100,000 people.  This was lower than the average for England of 22 per 100,000 and the South East average which was 19 per 100,000.  Darrell Gale commented that there were also a number of pharmacies close to the local authority boundary, for example in Reading.

·         The Committee noted that the pharmacies were generally well distributed for the current population.

·         Members were informed that Sunday access could be improved.

·         Whilst most areas were within a 10 minute drive of a pharmacy, Hurst, Arborfield and Barkham were less well served than other areas.

·         Services for over 65s in the north of the Borough were supplemented by Henley-on-Thames provision.  

·         Darrell Gale commented that the growing population in the Arborfield SDL may require additional or relocated provision during the 3-year period of the 2018-2021 assessment.

·         Feedback suggested that there were high levels of satisfaction with the current provision.  Many pharmacies offered enhanced services but locally-enhanced services could be expanded further.

·         There were no definite gaps in pharmacy provision identified. 

·         Councillor Jarvis enquired what impact online pharmacies might have on pharmacy provision within the Borough.  Darrell Gale commented that patient choice was important and that some may prefer to use online pharmacies.  There were three surgeries within the Borough that dispensed to their patients and also a number of 100 hour pharmacies.

·         The Committee discussed potential national funding cuts to pharmacy and the impact that this may have on pharmacy provision within the Borough.  Councillor Jones asked how many pharmacies might be at risk should funding be cut.  Darrell Gale commented that it was not possible to know at this stage. 

·         Councillor Kaiser commented that there were pharmacy collection points, such as at Henry Street Garden Centre, in more rural areas, which suggested that these areas was less well served for pharmacy provision.

·         In response to a Member question Darrell Gale clarified that pharmacy was commissioned by NHS England and that primary care services were commissioned by the Clinical Commissioning Group.  Members felt that it would be helpful to request a further update on primary care facilities and estates at the Committee’s January meeting. 

RESOLVED:  That

1)         Darrell Gale be thanked for his presentation and that the contents of the Draft Wokingham Borough Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2018 to 2021 be noted;

2)         Members send their comments on the contents of the Draft Wokingham Borough Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2018 to 2021 to the Democratic & Electoral Services Specialist and that a response to the consultation from the Committee be produced.