Commenting on the publication today of the government’s White Paper, “Integration and Innovation: working together to improve health and social care for all”, Malcolm Harrison, Chief Executive of the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA), said:
“We hope the proposed changes in this White Paper will create an environment that allows the community pharmacy sector to do more to help relieve pressure within the rest of the NHS. With waiting times for hospital treatment at their highest for ten years, community pharmacies are needed now more than ever to provide patients with clinical care, close to home. However, to deliver on this, pharmacies need fair funding for both the services they currently provide and for any additional workload they are ready and willing to deliver.
“It is not yet clear how the national and local commissioning of services will work in this new system. It is vital that everyone can access consistent care across the country, and that the good intentions of the White Paper do not lead to a healthcare “postcode lottery”.
“We also welcome the intention to improve data sharing. The ability for records to be easily accessed and shared by those providing patients with care could transform levels of safety and efficiency, helping to deliver the joined-up NHS that the White Paper is calling for.”