Simon Dukes

PSNC chief Simon Dukes has said the negotiator will be prepared to walk away from any inadequate funding deal proposed by the Government.

Community pharmacies should stop providing free services, the PSNC has warned.

There has been a net decrease of at least 139 community pharmacies in England since 2018-19, the PSNC has warned.

In a pharmacy trade press exclusive, PSNC chief Simon Dukes has spoken of his frustration with NHS England.

Pharmacies may now use an ‘army’ of NHS volunteer responders to deliver medicines – but many are concerned about the safety implications.

The PSNC has said it is pushing for an urgent cash injection from the government before the weekend.

Simon Dukes has provided an update on progress on the first annual contract review.

PSNC will not wait for annual review to put case for further investment.

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

Deputy chief pharmaceutical officer Bruce Warner said CPCS is a “step change” in the way people access community pharmacists.

“It is to us as a sector” to discuss issues like consolidation and the Pharmacy Access Scheme, he argued.

The monthly ‘transitional payments’ are being made to help community pharmacies prepare for a more services-based role.

PSNC wants an independent review to determine how effectively it and LPCs are working for contractors.

Community pharmacy has its first multi-year funding settlement, but funding is fixed at current levels of £2.592bn per year.  

The PSNC has appointed Sue Killen, the former chief executive of St John Ambulance, as its new chair.