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June
Wednesday
21 June 2006
All-Party
Pharmacy Group AGM and summer reception - 21 June 2006
The Group held its AGM on 21 June 2006. Dr Howard Stoate, Baroness
Tonge, Baroness Cumberlege and Mark Todd MP were all re-elected
as Officers of the Group. Sandra Gidley MP was elected as Treasurer,
replacing David Heath CBE MP.
A broad range of invited guests attended, including representatives
of all the major health professions, patient groups, PCTs, parliamentarians,
Department of Health officials NHS suppliers and journalists.
The Secretary of State for Health, Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt MP, was
the Guest of Honour.
Download here an extract of Dr Stoate's speech.
Dr
Howard Stoate MP speech
In
her speech the Secretary of State spoke of how in the consultation
exercise, Your Health, Your Care Your Say, the public clearly stated
how much they valued pharmacists. She saw pharmacy as highly responsive
to patients' needs. She welcomed the new contract for community
pharmacy services and highlighted Medicine Use Reviews as a strong
example of how pharmacists' expertise can improve healthcare for
patients and deliver better outcomes. She cited pharmacists' role
in public health and in spotting drug interactions as vitally important.
She recognised the importance of stability within community pharmacy,
in light of the Control of Entry review, and she pledged that IT
improvements would flow via the National Programme for IT. She welcomed
the APPG's Inquiry into the Future of Pharmacy and looked forward
to the contribution it would make to policy development.

March
Tuesday
7 March 2006
Guest speaker
Dr David Colin-Thome, National Clinical Director for Primary Care,
Department of Health, outlined his views and answered questions
in a debate on the Department of Health's White Paper, "Our
health, our care, our say".
A
report of the meeting can be read here;
Report
of APPG meeting 0703061
January
Monday
23 January 2006
A
special meeting was held with the Minister for Health, Rt Hon Jane
Kennedy MP. The Minister and officials from the Department
of Health answered questions on a range of topics including the
new community pharmacy contractual framework and developments in
pharmacy services.

Wednesday 9 August 2006
First evidence session held for All-Party
Pharmacy Group's Future of Pharmacy Inquiry.
The
All-Party Pharmacy group today held the first evidence session
for its Future of Pharmacy Inquiry.
In
the first of a series of public meetings representatives from
Which? and Asthma UK gave detailed evidence about the public perception
of pharmacies, controls of entry and the role of Primary Care Trusts
(PCTs).
Over
coming months a range of witnesses will provide evidence on issues
which impact the pharmacy industry and its key stakeholders.
The next evidence session will be held after the Parliamentary
summer recess.
To
read the news release on the Inquiry, please click here
Pharmacy
Inquiry First Evidence Session news release
Wednesday 21 June 2006
The
All-Party Pharmacy Group announces Inquiry into the Future of Pharmacy.
The
All-Party Pharmacy Group today announced the launch of a major Inquiry
into the Future of Pharmacy. It will be broad ranging, focussing
on pharmacy services in primary and secondary care.
The
Inquiry will include an extensive consultation process and public
evidence gathering meetings with invited witnesses. The Inquiry
will culminate in a report with recommendations for the profession,
policy makers and other stakeholders. The work of the Inquiry
will begin in June, and the first public meetings will be announced as soon as possible. Information will be posted here.
To read the
news release on the Inquiry, please click here
Pharmacy
Inquiry news release
Letter
to Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt MP, Secretary of State, Department of
Health from Dr Howard Stoate and the All-Party Pharmacy Group -
dated 30 November 2005
Dear Pat
I
am writing to you to set out the views of the All-Party Pharmacy
Group on matters relating to your forthcoming white paper on primary
care and social care. Our focus is on the role that community pharmacists
can play in providing choice by delivering a broader services and
improving access to primary care. I hope you will find our views
helpful as you and your officials prepare the white paper for publication.
As ever, I would be happy to meet with you or with others at the
Department to discuss these matters in more detail.
Evidence
gathering
The
All-Party Pharmacy Group has been keen to hear the views of relevant
stakeholders. In October we held a meeting attended by patient groups,
PCTs, pharmacists, and the medical and nursing professions. The
meeting was addressed by Dr Fiona Adshead, the Deputy Chief Medical
Officer, and Dr Michael Dixon of the NHS Alliance.
In
addition, we have received the report of the Citizens' Summit and
the other consultative events organised by the Department, and we
have collected information about initiatives and developments already
taking place in community pharmacy. Members of the Group are also
engaged in visiting community pharmacies to speak to patients and
users of pharmacy services, as well as to pharmacists and their
staff.
Key
findings
Access to services is a high priority for the public
One
of the strong messages from your public consultation exercise has
been that the public wish to see improved access to primary care
services. As service users, the public want to know that the services
they need are available when they need them in locations that are
convenient, and that these services are provided by trusted, local
community providers.
Much
of the feedback from the consultation exercise highlights community
pharmacy as trusted and highly accessible. It has long been our
Group's view that community pharmacies are in fact the most accessible
provider of NHS services.
Our
recommendation
As
you consider the introduction of service developments, we recommend
that you have a special regard for the role that pharmacies can
play. Their accessibility and trusted status, combined with the
positive effect of the new contractual framework within which they
are now operating, enables you to use them as a principal means
of delivering improvements in primary care.
- Choice
matters, but information is vital
We
see access to high quality services at the time of need as being
an overwhelming priority. Providing the public with choices of services
and provider is important as a means of improving access. However,
people need good quality information so that they can make informed
choices. They need to know about –
their
condition
the
role of different professionals and providers
the
role of self-care
how
to exercise choice.
Choice
is a positive factor in the provision of NHS primary care services,
provided it is carefully balanced with the need to ensure ready
access to services. Providing an elderly person with a long-term
condition the choice of using a new service provider located a significant
distance from the person's home is not a choice at all. Ensuring
that the patient is aware they can access expert advice, information
and treatment from their local pharmacy, as well as their GP does
present a meaningful choice.
Our
recommendation
Community
pharmacies are playing an increasing part in health education and
promotion as part of the new contractual framework. Their role in
information and advice, including signposting, should be recognised
in the white paper as a means of developing and promoting choice.
- Shifting
the focus from treating illness to maintaining good health is
a priority
Primary
care providers need to play a greater role in promoting and sustaining
good health. At present the emphasis remains heavily skewed towards
treating illness. While it is of course essential that both roles
remain in future, a better balance needs to be struck between them.
This will enable the NHS to manage demand more effectively, make
most efficient use of resources, and ensure better outcomes for
patients and the public.
Our
recommendation
Community
pharmacy has a track record of promoting self-care, advising on
healthy living, and identifying and treating minor ailments (thus
in some cases preventing them from escalating). The new contractual
framework is designed to harness this capability more effectively,
and the white paper should recognise that the role of promoting
and sustaining good health sits naturally with community pharmacies.
- A
focus is needed for service developments
Your
public consultation exercise and our own evidence gathering have
emphasised a number of service developments of high priority. In
community pharmacy, many of these are already in progress, and in
our view the white paper should add support to initiatives already
under way. Key services include -
- public
health (providing advice, counselling and support on smoking
cessation, healthy eating, weight management, sexual health)
- screening
& diagnostics (such as diabetes, cholesterol, chlamydia)
- management
of long-term conditions (medicines use reviews)
- good
health information and access to health checks (general health
information, routine health checks such as weight, BMI, blood
pressure)
- support
for substance misusers
- repeat
dispensing
- supplementary
and independent prescribing
- services
for specific groups – those with chronic conditions, the elderly,
and young adults.
Our
recommendation
In
all these areas there is a valuable role for community pharmacists
to play. Many aspects are factored into the new contractual framework,
and we believe the white paper should highlight the ability of pharmacies
to deliver such services under the new contract, and encourage others
– other health professions, PCTs and local commissioners – to make
full use of community pharmacy.
- A
stable environment in which to plan services is vital
The
development of existing and new services requires a stable NHS environment
and clarity as to decision making and responsibility. Community
pharmacies and other service providers need to know that the investment
they are required to make is for the long-term and that primary
care funding is put in place on this basis. The commitment of NHS
funding needs to reflect the commitment of pharmacy investment if
services are to be successfully developed and rolled out.
PCTs
and local commissioners need to be focused and engaged. In the past,
there has been difficulty getting local primary care managers to
focus on how community pharmacy can help deliver improvements for
patients. Much work has gone into addressing this problem and we
have now reached a point where real progress has been made. This
is largely due to pharmacy representation on PECs. Now, we have
concerns that this progress will be disrupted by reorganisational
issues at a time when your Department - and the public - wants to
see service developments and improvements. We recognise that steps
have been taken recently to reduce the
level of disruption caused by reorganisational initiatives, but
this remains a concern.
Our
recommendation
While
the new contractual framework is having a positive effect in this
regard, the white paper presents a further opportunity to encourage
PCTs and commissioners to focus on the ability of community pharmacy
to meet local needs, and to continue (in some cases, begin) the
process of engaging with Local Pharmaceutical Committees to plan
service developments.
- Community
pharmacy must be IT-connected
From
our evidence gathering it is clear that many users of NHS primary
care services want control over access to their health records.
They are likely to recognise that if they want their pharmacy to
provide new and extended services, their pharmacists will need access
to their health record.
We
believe that many of the services that community pharmacy can provide
in future are dependent on being connected into the NHS IT network.
Access by community pharmacists to the national care record system
is essential if services such as medicines use review and independent
prescribing are to operate to optimum success. Specifically, pharmacies
and GP practices must have IT connectivity. Failure to achieve IT
connectivity will hamper service improvements.
Our
recommendation
We
hope to see recognition in the white paper of the importance of
this matter. Service developments will not take place as quickly
as we all wish unless connectivity between pharmacies and GP practices
is achieved. We are not aware of any technical barriers to resolving
this.
If
you or your officials have any questions about the matters I have
raised or would like any further information, please do not hesitate
to contact me.
Best
wishes
Yours
sincerely

Dr
Howard Stoate MP
Chair
Monday 23 January 2006
The next public meeting of the Group will be in January when Rt
Hon Jane Kennedy MP, the Minister for Quality and Patient Safety
(with responsibility for pharmacy) will be our guest speaker. We
will be publishing further information on our website very shortly.
ALL-PARTY
GROUP STATEMENT ON NEGOTIATIONS OVER THE NEW PHARMACY CONTRACT
17
July 2004
Dr Howard Stoate MP, Chair of the All-Party Pharmacy Group, today
made the following statement:
The Group met on 15 June to hear from representatives of the NHS
Confederation and the PSNC about the status of negotiations over
the new community pharmacy contract. Since our meeting, we have
been waiting for signs of further progress before commenting. In
the past week we understand further progress has been made.
We were pleased to hear at our June meeting that work on the service
framework has been largely completed. The new services incorporated
in the contract will provide community pharmacists with the opportunity
to expand the range and quality of service to patients, and will
enable the profession to play a major part in priority areas including
the management of chronic diseases and public health. A great deal
of good work has been done on the service framework and we congratulate
those involved.
We also heard about the status of discussions over funding the contract,
and on this issue there was cause for concern. We were informed
that the Department of Health's position on funding was such that
even the cost base would not be covered under the new funding arrangements,
and concerns were expressed to us about the risks to patient safety
arising from such a low level of funding.
Since that meeting, I have held discussions with the Minister, Rosie
Winterton MP and have been encouraged by her desire to make progress.
I gather that the Department has recently made a funding offer to
the PSNC which is more positive than the position referred to at
our All-Party Group meeting last month and which addresses some
of the concerns that we heard. I hope that this will be the basis
for a successful negotiating process. I am sure that all those involved
will want to see early implementation of the new contract, so that
patients and PCTs can begin to experience the benefits it will undoubtedly
bring.
Our Group will continue to monitor progress closely over the coming
weeks and months. We expect to re-visit the subject of the pharmacy
contract again before its implementation.
ENDS
Further information:
Simon Whale - 020 7618 9100, simonwhale@luther.co.uk
or visit the website www.appg.org.uk
MPs
CALL FOR PHARMACISTS’ FRONTLINE ROLE
IN TACKLING OBESITY
26 May 2004
The All-Party Pharmacy Group, which includes over 100 MPs and peers,
has renewed its call on the government to harness the potential
of pharmacists in tackling obesity.
Dr Howard Stoate MP (Labour, Dartford), chair of the Group, said:
“Tomorrow’s report from the health select committee
will confirm that obesity is now Britain’s number one public
health issue. We need to ensure that all the resources available
in the NHS are fully used in the fight against obesity. In February
we made a number of recommendations to Health ministers for action.
Together those proposals would result in community pharmacists playing
a frontline role in providing counselling and weight management
advice, and better focused public information. There are no health
professionals better placed than community pharmacists to highlight
the issues associated with obesity and to help people avoid or manage
this major public health problem.
The forthcoming national contract for community pharmacy provides
a perfect opportunity to get that role defined and in place quickly.
I’m looking forward to receiving the Department of Health’s
response to our recommendations but I very much hope Health ministers
will take that opportunity.”
Ends
Notes for editors
1. The All-Party Pharmacy Group’s report and recommendations,
Community Pharmacy – tackling obesity, was published in February
2004. The recommendations to ministers were:
o Ensure that the new community pharmacy contract incorporates a
defined public health role, with particular regard for obesity and
weight management services. This should provide a national service
standard that can be adapted and prioritised according to local
need.
o Enable community pharmacies to have access to electronic patient
records, subject to safeguards regarding confidentiality and patient
consent, and support pharmacies in the provision of counselling
areas.
o Provide community pharmacists and their assistants with the necessary
training resources. Ensure that pharmacies providing this public
health service are suitably accredited and performance-monitored.
o Develop and support initiatives that raise public awareness of
the role of community pharmacies in providing advice and information
on obesity and other public health issues, this to be tied to the
roll-out of services under the new contract.
2. The report can be downloaded from the All-Party Pharmacy Group’s
website – www.appg.org.uk
3. The new national contract for community pharmacy services is
currently being negotiated between the Department of Health, the
NHS Confederation and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee.
The All-Party Pharmacy Group will be holding a special inquiry in
public into progress in these negotiations on 15 June 2004.
4. For further information, contact Simon Whale at Luther Pendragon,
020 7618 9100 or simonwhale@luther.co.uk.
APPG
TO HOLD SPECIAL INQUIRY INTO
NEW PHARMACY CONTRACT
25 May 2004
The All-Party Pharmacy Group has called a special meeting to examine
the status of negotiations around the new contract for NHS community
pharmacy services in England.
Dr Howard Stoate MP (Lab, Dartford) said:
“ We have planned to hold a meeting on this subject, but like
others we have heard the concerns raised by the PSNC about funding
and timing. We’re now very keen to examine what has been going
on, what the outstanding concerns are and how the parties to the
discussions think progress can be made.
Its not our role to bang heads together, but we are convinced of
the need for this new contract so we will be very interested to
hear about what’s caused the delay and how the process can
be brought back on track. I’m expecting all those involved
to maintain a positive, can-do attitude. We want this contract in
place as soon as possible.
We specifically want to hear from the pharmacy negotiators and the
PCTs’ representatives so our speakers at the meeting will
include Chris Town of the NHS Confederation and Sue Sharpe from
PSNC. But in view of recent news I have also written to Rosie Winterton
MP, the Minister of State for Health, asking her to attend the meeting
to listen to the discussion. I hope she’ll be able to join
us.”
ENDS
Notes for editors
The APPG meeting will be at 5.30pm on 15 June 2004 in the Grand
Committee Room at the House of Commons. It is a public meeting,
but attendance is by invitation.
Further information can be obtained from Simon Whale at Luther Pendragon:
020 7618 9100 or simonwhale@luther.co.uk. Alternatively visit the
Group’s website at www.appg.org.uk
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
20 April 2004
PHARMACY FOR FELLAS
Winterton urges men to use their pharmacies
Men were yesterday urged to make the most of pharmacists who can provide them with easy access to valuable health advice by Health Minister Rosie Winterton.
Speaking at a joint meeting of the All Party Pharmacy Group and Men's Health Forum Rosie Winterton said:
"Research shows that men can be reluctant health service users who make poor use of preventative services and can tend to avoid going to see the doctor unless they are in significant pain or an illness has become too serious to ignore.
"Men are significantly more likely to die than women from a number of causes, including suicides, drug-related poisonings, lung cancer and coronary heart disease. They can expect to spend 15 years of their lives suffering from a serious or chronic illness.
"The challenge for all of us is to reach these people, such as the 50 year old male smoker who does not routinely access health services but wants to give up smoking. Pharmacies have an advantage - people visit them when they are well, not just when they are sick.
"Pharmacists' roles are changing and they are now providing smoking cessation courses; measuring blood pressure and body mass index, to actively support public health campaigns on smoking, diet, physical activity and reducing obesity. And it is through advice and provision of these services that pharmacists can help build on the very good news of a 10 per cent fall in premature deaths from cancer since 1995/1997, and a 23 per cent reduction in heart-related deaths between then and 2000/2002.
"The government made clear in A Vision for Pharmacy in the new NHS published last year its intention to ensure an NHS where people have the greatest choice about the time and place they can seek advice and help. And this should apply to everyone, including men."
Notes to Editors
1. The strategy for developing NHS Pharmacy services is set out in A Vision for Pharmacy in the new NHS, published on 17 July 2003.
Consultation on the proposals will continue until 17 October. It can be accessed at the Department of Health website
2. The Men's
Health Forum can be contacted on tel: 020 7388 4449 and at www.menshealthforum.org.uk.
The Men's Health Forum is in partnership with the DPP: Developing
Patient Partnerships on a new campaign 'Pop down your local' to
inform men about the services available from pharmacies and encourage
more men to use the pharmacy for health advice and treatments. The
campaign - 'Pop down your local' - launching on April 29 has been
developed in partnership with a number of organisations including
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society
of Great Britain, The Consumer Health Information Centre (CHIC),
National Pharmaceutical Association, and Blood Pressure Association.
3. The All Party Pharmacy Group can be contacted via the website www.appg.org.uk which was also launched at the event.

L-R Dr Howard Stoate MP (Chair, APPG), Dr Ian Banks (Trustee, Men's Health Forum) and Rosie Winterton MP (Minister for Health) at the joint meeting of the All-Party Pharmacy Group and the All-Party Group on Men's Health.

Rosie Winterton MP delivering her speech at the meeting, calling for more and better use by men, of their local pharmacy.
APPG LAUNCHES WEBSITE
Embargo: 5pm, 19 April 2004
The All-Party Pharmacy Group today launched its own dedicated website at www.appg.org.uk .
Speaking at the launch in the House of Commons on 19 April 2004, Dr Howard Stoate MP chair of the APPG, said:
“This is another indication of the momentum and profile that our Group is achieving. We are leading the way among all-party groups – our membership is amongst the largest, we have one of the busiest work schedules, we continue to influence government policy, and we have now become one of the very few parliamentary groups to have its own dedicated website.
The site will grow over time, but already it contains information about who we are and what we do. You will find details of past and future meetings, and you can download all the reports and policy recommendations we have sent to Ministers since we were established.
I hope all those interested in our work will visit the site and give us their feedback and views.
This is an important time for pharmacy. The new national contract is being negotiated and the changes to control of entry have yet to be finalised, to name just two of the major issues. Our website provides another means for people to see what we think about these issues and what action we are seeking from Ministers.”
For further information:
Simon Whale – 020 7618 9100 or simonwhale@luther.co.uk
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