Contractors can learn lessons from the past, says Claire Ward. The IPF’s chief executive promises to put this vision into practice at its Autumn conference

A pharmacist recently asked me why politicians do not understand the real value of pharmacy and how it could solve the current pressures on GPs and A&E. I have to admit that since my semi-retreat from front-line politics, the rationale of some policy decisions on both sides of the political spectrum baffle me as much as anyone.

I know how politics works – those whose cause is most prominent get most from the system. The problem with pharmacy as a sector is that it is too much of a pussycat, compared to the big beast represented by GPs and acute service providers.

Over the summer there have been headlines about the difficulties patients face getting appointments with their local surgery. Despite that, we have few words written about potential solutions, other than to simply throw more money at an increasingly challenged NHS. The answer may well be more funding, but first we have to utilise the resources that we have. The failure to fully utilise community pharmacy is damning on the present policy makers.

On the spot

My second conversation with an independent later that day put me a little more on the spot. On the one hand he said he wanted to have a greater presence for pharmacy, but was not sure it was worth him paying £10 a month to be a member of the IPF, and frequently doubted why he continued his membership of the NPA for the same reason. He asked me what the IPF was doing to achieve change.

The irony is that there are many contractors just like him. They want to see change but they are neither prepared to be the leaders or the changemakers, nor – more worryingly – are they prepared to fund those who will do it for them. If pharmacy wants change in how it is seen by policymakers, then this attitude needs to change first.

So where is IPF in this desire for change? Well we think we have to make the sector stronger by encouraging high quality services that will prove their added value to patients. That comes both from representations to policy makers, and also in helping contractors to focus on the future of the sector and to show leadership. Next month we will put our vision into practice at our Autumn conference. It is entitled ‘Back to the Future’ because we think that contractors can learn lessons from the past. There was a time when pharmacy was the first port of call and patients sought advice and treatment before seeking an appointment with their GP.

Research has shown that parents see independents as the best place for advice on child health, but few pharmacies capitalise on this

Over the past 30 years, the GP has become the place to go as understanding of pharmacy’s role has declined. Now that GPs and A&E are under so much pressure, patients and policy makers need to understand that many of those visits could start in the pharmacy. So our conference will help to set that agenda, both with practical advice for contractors and in the strong messages we will send to policy makers.

Our conference takes place on Saturday, October 4, at Birmingham NEC, with an evening social and discounted accommodation so that contractors can stay for the weekend and attend the Pharmacy Show on the Sunday. There will be plenty of CPD. The conference and social are free for IPF members and, given that membership is only £120 plus VAT per year, it’s a very good deal, especially as this is the second free conference this year for members.

Our keynote session is presented by one of our industry partners who continues to support community pharmacy. Reckitt Benckiser (RB) will present valuable insights into children’s health with its hands-on, practical and engaging presentation for the whole pharmacy team. Together with our guest speakers, this will take contractors on a journey from pregnancy to childhood covering many common ailments.

Recent research has shown that parents see independents as the best place for advice on child health, but few pharmacies capitalise on this. RB will also introduce the 2014 pharmacy stars and share some top tips for how a children’s healthcare champion can make a difference to your pharmacy and the communities you serve.

A vision for independents

Our conference will also offer a vision for independent pharmacy, and what you need to do to achieve this. There will be presentations from support or buying groups including Celesio, Numark and Alphega.

The afternoon workshops will focus on how to improve your business. Too many pharmacists spend a disproportionate amount of their time gaining small margins from buying stock when the future has to involve more resource and time on developing services and up sales. So we will have workshops on weight management, travel and flu vaccinations, and what makes profit in your business.

Contractors can’t afford to sit on the sidelines and moan about wanting change. They have to be the changemakers or, at the very least, support those who will deliver change for them. So if you are ready for change, join us at our conference on Saturday, October 4, and meet people who share your vision. For more information, contact claire@theipf.co.uk or visit www.theipf.co.uk.