A national provider company has been launched to help LPCs and their associated provider companies meet local commissioning challenges.

Healthcare Together, which was formed with NPA and PSNC members and the support of the Company Chemists’ Association and Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, launched its website and prospectus at the end of September. Its team includes experts in pharmacy, finance and law, as well as tender-writing specialists, and can provide expert support and advice on issues ranging from company formation to the implementation of successful tenders. Services are available to all LPCs and their associated provider companies either for free or at a competitive or discounted rate.

All LPCs have been signed up to receive notifications of tenders via Healthcare Together’s tender-scanning service. LPC members can log into www. healthcaretogether.co.uk to download its prospectus and view further details.

Liz Colling, chair and board director of Healthcare Together, said: “It is great to be working with the NPA and the PSNC to deliver solutions and services for LPCs and their associated provider companies. Being an enabler to support the continuous provision and development of community pharmacy services allows us to be part of the evolution of healthcare.”