Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report presented by Dr. John Radford, Director of Public Health, on the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA).

A PNA was a legal document used to make decisions about a range of services which needed to be provided by local community pharmacies (chemists), internet pharmacies and dispensing appliance contractors.  These were part of local health care and Public Health Services and affected budgets.  Such an Assessment was used when deciding if new pharmacy services and shops were needed.  Applications were made by independent pharmacy owners and large pharmacy companies to NHS England.

The Health and Wellbeing Board must publish its PNA by 1^st April, 2015, have 60 days of public consultation and have been signed off by the Board.

The Assessment was valid for 3 years unless any major changes occurred locally.

Discussion ensued with the following issues raised/clarified:-

-          Medication management in care homes was an issue that needed further work

-          Provision of a 100 hour pharmacy in the Town Centre once the Walk-in Centre moved to its new location

Resolved:-  (1)  That the draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment be approved for the 60 day consultation period.

(2)  That the document be submitted to the Health Select Commission as part of the consultation.