New voice for local pharmacists on devolution and national NHS policy

New voice for local pharmacists on devolution and national NHS policy

Community pharmacists across Greater Manchester have joined forces as part of a new organisation representing their views around devolution, national health policy and NHS contracts.

The combined Greater Manchester Local Pharmaceutical Committee came into effect on 1 October 2016 to strengthen the voice of community pharmacists and better enable them to play a key part in shaping future health and social care services.

The move is particularly timely, given the sweeping changes and planned transformation of healthcare across Greater Manchester through devolution. It also comes amidst planned changes to the national contract that individual pharmacies have with NHS England. The Government has proposed cutting community pharmacy funding in England by £170m this year. This could put some services at risk despite the vital role local pharmacies play in caring for their communities, providing health information and advice, and relieving pressure from GPs.

The new Greater Manchester Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC) replaces six smaller groups that previously represented pharmacists in their areas: Ashton, Leigh and Wigan LPC; Bury and Rochdale LPC; Manchester LPC; Oldham, Tameside and Glossop LPC; Salford and Trafford LPC; and Stockport LPC.

LPCs are the recognised statutory bodies that represent community pharmacists – i.e. pharmacists who serve the public – in discussions about local pharmacy services and healthcare more widely. They represent pharmacists in discussions with the NHS, local authorities, and other healthcare professions to plan and agree local services. They also provide advice and support to their pharmacy members.

Aneet Kapoor, Chair of the new Greater Manchester LPC, and a practising pharmacist who owns three pharmacies in Manchester and Rochdale, said: “Pharmacies provide vital health services to their local communities and we see an even bigger role in future in helping the NHS, local authorities and others care for an ageing population with more illnesses.

“The LPCs in Greater Manchester have been working closely together for some time but combining forces as one statutory organisation will give us an even stronger voice and means the NHS, local authorities and others can liaise with one LPC rather than six.”

The new LPC was created after community pharmacists in Ashton Leigh and Wigan, Bury and Rochdale, Manchester, Oldham Tameside and Glossop, Salford and Trafford, and Stockport voted in favour of the proposal.

Community pharmacists in Bolton will continue to be represented by a separate LPC for their area.