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RPS outlines concerns over funding cuts
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The best contribution that pharmacists can make to NHS efficiencies is by focusing on medicines optimisation and the prevention of ill health, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has said.
In its response to the government consultation on ‘Community pharmacy in 2016/17 and beyond’, the Society outlined the negative effective that funding cuts would have on patients. “We remain very concerned that pharmacists will be forced to reduce the number of people in the workforce to focus only on safe medicines supply. This will reduce the potential for community pharmacists to deliver additional value in the community with a knock on effect of increasing pressure on GPs, A&E and other urgent care services.â€
The RPS asked for assurance that the overarching objective of the reforms centred on improving patient access to high quality care, advice and medicines from pharmacists. “If there is a mutual understanding between the profession and Government regarding this underpinning aim we believe there is much we can do to work together.â€
The proposed integration fund should be used to drive innovation, for example testing out new and different models of care, such as community pharmacists working with GP practices and delivering enhanced care in care homes. The RPS set out eight principles to drive high quality care from community pharmacists as well as key enablers, including support and training for all pharmacists to practice as independent prescribers.
RPS England Board Chair Sandra Gidley said: “We are in no doubt that hastily implemented funding cuts to community pharmacy will mean greater costs for the NHS in the long term. There is a strategic imperative for the NHS to improve capacity improve capacity and capability to support older people and those with long-term conditions. This, coupled with an emphasis on prevention of ill health, means we need to invest in community pharmacy, expand roles and enable better care."