LPC

Save money by merging LPCs say trade bodies

Pharmacy trade bodies recommend a reduction in the number of LPCs to save money and improve support.

Contractors sought for review of PSNC & LPCs’ effectiveness

The review will explore issues such as how the support offered by PSNC and LPCs could be improved.

Pharmacy PCN funding to be finalised next week

The PSNC's Alastair Buxton said the level of community pharmacy funding for primary care networks has not been finalised. 

LPCs should co-ordinate contact with PCNs

LPCs should co-ordinate pharmacists' engagement with primary care networks across England.

Parting is such sweet sorrow

Dilip Joshi, former LPC chairman and NPA board member, bids a fond farewell to friends, colleagues and ICP readers.

At your service

LPC chairman and NPA board member Dilip Joshi seeks clarification over EHC provision and is inspired by pharmacy practice north of the border.

Hard times

LPC chairman and NPA board member Dilip Joshi hopes that a fundamental review of pharmacy’s contractual framework happens sooner rather than later.

Cuts and more cuts

Wednesday November 2

I am at the LPC Conference at the Congress Centre in London today and am surprised the health minister, David Mowat, attends and is robust in announcing that cuts will go ahead in the face of a lukewarm reception from delegates. He states an intention to move community pharmacy into a future shaped around services largely commissioned locally, admitting that this will be easier to bring about in some areas than others.

Sue Sharpe speaks of betrayal by the DH’s disregard of the value of community pharmacy and dismissal of concerns of patients who rely on the care provided by community pharmacy teams.

Bidding for new services with Healthcare Together

Healthcare Together can help contractors bid for local enhanced services

Bidding for new services with Healthcare Together

Healthcare Together can help contractors bid for local enhanced services

What now?

Funding cuts go ahead against best advice

Indispensable progress

A summary of North-East London LPC’s High Street Clinic model of pharmacy care

National provider company launched

Healthcare Together launched to help LPCs and their associated provider companies meet local commissioning challenges

Coping with Capita

Tuesday July 5

I am at a Southwark commissioners’ meeting this evening. It has been called by members of the local GP federation. They wish to learn more about our LPC’s service-provider model with a view to working for mutual benefit. There are suggestions of operating through Local Care Networks in the presentations.

GP federations have been funded to assist with their set up, whereas our provider company has not. A key difference is that GPs seem to have used their funds to create various remunerated positions and are looking to make them sustainable through additional funding of commissioned services.

We have, on the other hand, started a low-cost model without extensive infrastructure or office facilities, opting instead to pay for administration costs through top-slicing monies received for services. This, to me, seems to be a more efficient model than PCT-like administrations with associated costs and red tape.

Newham pharmacists develop patient 'wellbeing plans'

Newham scheme helps people take control of their health