Forward by the Chair Julie Oliver
It has been an interesting year for the LPC. Nationally the election and change of government caused delays and setbacks, not just to the development of community pharmacy services but also in the publishing of the cost of service enquiry.
LPC’s expected news on market entry reform in early 2011 as the last government had commenced work on proposals and agreed the work should continue– we are still awaiting a final outcome of those discussions. With no news on those reforms partial deregulation continues and we have experienced this locally with many of the new contracts award being exempt applications.
During the summer months work commenced on the introduction of the Pharmacy Needs Assessment. The Pharmaceutical NeedsAssessment (PNA) is a key toolin the process of achieving highquality accessible pharmaceuticalservices responsive to local need.The purpose of the PNA is toassess local needs and serviceprovision across Rotherham toidentify any unmet needs of thelocal population, any service gaps,and to identify any services thatcommunity pharmacists couldprovide to address these needs. Each time a new application is applied for the PNA is an essential tool to formulate the LPC’s reply.
In the national pharmaceutical press you will no doubt have read about services beingdecommissioned as a result of the financial pressures faced by the NHS in general. In Rotherham we have beenfortunate so far in that we have not seen any decommissioning. You will also know that we have, along with NHS Rotherham reviewed certain Enhanced Services. Whilst it is imperative the LPC continues to ensure thatthe voice of Community Pharmacy is heard, it is crucial that contractorsproviding commissioned services do so within the boundaries of the Service Level Agreements and to a quality standard to the population of Rotherham would expect. This will help ensure that when the LPC are in discussions with NHS Rotherham we can make a stronger case on your behalf when newservices are under discussion.
Finally, you may remember last year we had a reform of the LPC constitution that reflected the overall composition of contractors, I am pleased to report that the change in membership has improved our discussions and that Rotherham LPC has benefited from new members with different viewpoints that has produced a wide range of debates with robust conclusions.
As the Chair I would like to thank the executive team of the LPC and the members who continue to work hard often in their own time to support you the contractors.
Julie Oliver
Secretaries Report Sandra Parnham
2010 was a difficult year due to the financial constraints on the NHS. We are however, pleased to inform you that the LPC and its members continue to work hard to maintain agood working relationship NHS Rotherham, Public Health and the emerging ClinicalCommissioning Consortia.
NHS Rotherham Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment was published on the 1st February 2011. Rotherham LPC was fully engaged in the development of the PNA document and was invitedto attend each Steering Groupmeeting for which we thank the PCT for our involvement. In addition we submitted formal responses to Doncaster, Bassettlaw, Barnsley, Sheffield and North Derbyshire PNA consultationprocess. The LPC paid particular attention in terms of NHS Rotherham’s (along with the other PCT’s) compliance with the regulations. A copy of this can be found on Rotherham LPC website.
Due to NHS Rotherham restructuring and having to make best use of time due to management cuts the pharmacy development group was disbanded. Commissioning and developments go through community pharmacy Clinical Governance and Pharmacy panel. Whilst not ideal the LPC still have a place with regards to negotiations.
As Julie has mentioned this was the first year of the new LPC and we welcomed Allan Green, Mohammed Akudi, Greg Campbell, Vicky Bennett and new treasurer Stewart Kelly.
All LPC members have contributedto both the meetings and the work on going on outside of the meetings with otherorganisations. The LPC meetings have become a much greater debating forum andhave looked at how LPC comply with its governance functionsand performance. We have done so partly through the LPC self evaluation which contractors can view on our website, this document is manage by an LPC member, Allan Green, to ensure the executive members are keeping focused on what our future goals are as an organisation.
The chair, LPC and myself have been in regular contact through the year with our PSNC regional representative who is Gary Myers, we have attended several regional and one local meeting resulting in Gary attending an LPC daytime meeting keeping the LPC up to date with national developments and PSNC. The LPC has also attended all necessary PCT, SHA, PSNC andNational conferences.
On a positive note the level of communication from the DoH, PCT and PSNC has increased. Rotherham LPC has its own has its own website which is hosted by the PSNC portal. LPC member Richard Hackett has been keeping the website up to date and as the secretary I use the website on a daily basis. I understand from our PCT colleagues that they have used information on the website and we would encourage contractors to access on a regular basis. Ratified LPC Minutes are posted within 3 days of the LPC meeting, letters from NHS Rotherham are also posted on the website along with annual reports, meeting dates, SLA and LPC newsletters.
During the months running up to April 2011 the LPC hasliaised with the secretary of the LMC, Adrian Cole and the Chair of GP Consortia, David Tooth – the LPC remains committed to working with Clinical Commissioning Consortia, LMC and Health & Well Being Board.
All LPC members receive NHS Rotherhams contract application status, this has now moved to the open element of the LPC meeting to ensure that contractors hold as much information as possible. The LPC continues to review all contract applications concerning pharmacy servicesand responds accordingly on contractors behalf.
The LPC has responded to all DoH Consultation Papers as necessary, the most recent being the Public Health White Paper, the LPC response is on the LPC website.
Commissioned Services
NHS Rotherham currently commission services to supply include:
- Needle Exchange
- Methadone and Buprenorphine supervision
- NRT Voucher & Smoking Cessation Counselling
- Emergency Hormone Contraception
- Palliative Care
- Out of Hours
- Flu Pandemic Anti-viral collection service (currently de-commissioned)
- Minor Ailment scheme
- Seasonal Flu Vaccination Service
Of note:
METHADONE SUPPLY AND NEEDLE EXCHANGE
Substances abuse schemes continue to be operated and extended through pharmacies in Rotherham throughout the year. The recording of information is working well in terms of gathering intelligence for both payment and reports for the specialist team. The number of pharmacy contractors providing Needle Exchange service has increased and the SLA extended into 2011/12. The LPC has good links to the PCT, the weather conditions in December 10 caused some particular unique situations and contractors, specialist team and PCT dealt with those difficulties both efficiently and professionally for substance misuse clients.
SEASONAL FLU VACCINATION SERVICE
This SLA was provided throughout the borough and after being reviewed by the PCT will be commissioned in Autumn 2011.
MEETINGS
Meetings I have attended on behalf of contractors include:
Drug Related DeathsShared care monitoring
Pharmacy Development Group (disbandedPharmacy Panel
Clinical GovernanceFlu pandemic (both local and regional)
External meetings with PSNC both regional and nationalSouth Yorkshire Pharmacy Group
LPC meetings & LPC Annual General Meeting.
Essential Services
PCTs have had the responsibility for monitoring the successful implementation of Essential and Advanced services.
Arrangements for monitoring of Essential services continues with a third of pharmacy contractors having a monitoring visit from NHS Rotherham on a three year rotational basis.PCTs can choose to monitor the contract in a way that meets their local approach to such matters. This is always discussed and agreed with the Local Pharmaceutical Committee on an annual basis.
LPC supports any contractor who requires assistance with regards to monitoring visits.
Advanced Services
Advanced Services: During the year end March 2010 – beginning April 2011 (Rotherham Contractors only)
Date / MUR Value / MUR Number / No of Pharmacies ClaimingApril 2010 / £16,688 / 596 / 38 out of 58
May 2010 / £19,180 / 685 / 40 out of 58
June 2010 / £27,356 / 977 / 41 out of 58
July 2010 / £25,088 / 896 / 41 out of 58
August 2010 / £29,428 / 1051 / 45 out of 58
September 2010 / £29,176 / 1042 / 45 out of 58
October 2010 / £30,744 / 1098 / 45 out of 58
November 2010 / £29,596 / 1057 / 44 out of 59
December 2010 / £12,460 / 445 / 36 out of 59
January 2011 / £39,940 / 1105 / 43 out of 59
February 2011 / £32,816 / 1172 / 41 out of 59
March 2011 / £35,532 / 1269 / 41 out of 59
Enhanced Services
Service specifications, business plans and Service Level Agreements for Enhanced Services were developed by the PCT via the pharmacy development group in conjunction with the LPC, more recently this has move to the Pharmacy Panel or Clinical Governance group.
LPCs and pharmacy contractors are able to develop their own local services in response to identified needs.
NHS Rotherham also commission the following Enhanced services:
- Emergency Hormonal Contraception
- Smoking cessation (both supply and counselling)
- Emergency supply of palliative care medicines
- Anti-viral supplies (currently de-commissioned)
- Antiviral supplies
- Methadone Supervision
- Pharmacy based needle syringe exchange
NHS Rotherham arrangement for monitoring of Enhanced services may be set out in local contracts or Service Level Agreements, and NHS Rotherham may ask the monitoring of these at the same time as monitoring the Essential services
Contract Applications April 2010 – March 2011
Below are the contract applications that have been received by NHS Rotherham from March 2010 – April 2011
Start Date / Type / Applicant / Site / Stage17 Mar 2011 / Preliminary Consent / Rushport Advisory LLP / 271 Wickersley Road, Rotherham S60 / Not opened as of October 2011
16 Mar 2011 / Exempt - Internet / Saj Services Ltd / Rear of 210 Wellgate, Rotherham / Granted
16 Mar 2011 / Exempt - 100hr / Eightlands Limited / The High Street Surgery, High Street, Rawmarsh, Rotherham S62 6LW / Granted
16 Mar 2011 / Exempt - 100hr / Pharma-clinic Ltd / Vicinity of Morthen Road Surgery / Opened
24 Feb 2011 / Exempt - 100hr / Brinsworth Partnership Ltd / Brinsworth MC. 171-173 Bawtry Road, Brinsworth, Rotherham / Granted
22 Feb 2011 / Exempt - 100hr / Wellgate Healthcare Ltd / 6 Doncaster Gate, Rotherham S65 1DJ / Granted
28 Jan 2011 / Exempt - 100hr / Saj Services Limited / 210 Wellgate, Rotherham / Withdrawn
19 Jan 2011 / Exempt - 100hr / Co-operative Group / Bawtry Road, Wickersley / Granted
6 Dec 2010 / Preliminary Consent / Ihsan Ltd / Flanderwell Lane, Sunnyside / Rejected
30 Nov 2010 / Exempt -100h / Singhs Medical Ltd / Lordens Hill, Dinnington / Granted
3 Feb 2010 / Full Consent / Weldricks Pharmacy / 18 The Pastures, Todwick, Sheffield, S26 1JH / Granted
Rotherham LPC Members Role / Attendance Register
The role of the committee is:
Ensure transparency and equality of information and opportunity for all pharmacy contractors in matters relating to the local purchasing of pharmaceutical services.
Ensure appropriate arrangements are in place to advise any pharmacy contractor who needs help or assistance on NHS matters. The LPC is not however, able to provide legal advice as this must be given by a qualified solicitor or by counsel.
Provide appropriate levels of guidance and support to pharmacy contractors or groups of pharmacy contractors in the formulation of bids for funds held at any level and advise on submissions for LPS and local commissioning.
Consider any complaint made by any pharmacy contractor against another pharmacy contractor involving any question of the efficiency of the Pharmaceutical Services as empowered by Regulations.
Visitors
M Hamstead, Contractor Winterhill Pharmacy, PE Pharmacist NHS Rotherham
S Wright, Senior Pharmaceutical & Prescribing Advisor, Medicines Management, NHS Rotherham
S Lakin,Head of Medicines Management, NHS Rotherham
S Paddock, Medicines Management, NHS Rotherham
C Bland, Superintendent Pharmacist, McGills Pharmacy
B Malik, Contractor, Thurcoft Pharmacy
C Stamp,Deputy Head of Procurement, NHS Rotherham
M Briggs,SRCL (Waste Management Contract)
X = LPC Member Did not attend+ = LPC Member Attended
C = Cancelled meeting
Accounts April 2010 – March 2011