Pharmacy Contractors Have Also Seen the Introduction of Several Enhanced Services

Forward by the Chair Julie Oliver

This year saw the introduction of changes to the committee with a new constitution, elections and a change to the proportional representation of the committee. At the LPC AGM in November 2009 the proposed new Constitution was accepted by contractors.

Over the Summer months we saw the LPC, NHS Rotherham and the SHA come together and prepare for the flu pandemic. As the NHS came under huge pressure to deliver a pandemic service, local pharmacies rose to the challenge and prepared to manage the expected large numbers of patients. Rotherham Pharmacy contractors responded promptly and professionally in terms of both local distribution and antiviral supplies. Thank you to those involved.

During 2009 the LPC sought to work closely with NHS Rotherham to prepare for the introduction of the forthcoming Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) by ensuring representation on the PNA sub-committee. This work is still ongoing.

Pharmacy Contractors have also seen the introduction of several Enhanced services.

The initial implementation of EPS Release 2 began well during 2009 but progress is now slow. The LPC has attended meetings to support the introduction of EPS and continues to be involved. I would encourage all contractors to engage with release 1 as this will help to smooth the transition to release 2.

Issues with direct to pharmacy schemes and manufacturers quota schemes have severely disrupted our workflow and I know from experience the amount of time spent chasing stock for patients. This can lead to delays in patient care but due to the hard work of contractors this has been kept to a minimum. The LPC continue to lobby PSNC.

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 contractor.

Julie Oliver

Secretaries Report Sandra Parnham

As secretary I am responsible for arranging the six LPC meetings in the year April 2009 to March 2010. All the LPC meeting were held at Ibis Hotel, Bramley. At each meeting the agenda reflects national and local issues which affect and impact on the pharmacy contractors represented by the LPC.

The role of the secretary also covers all the administrative work (with secretarial support) of the committee and working closely with the LPC Chair, Vice Chair and LPC Treasurer and all LPC matters.

Representatives of the LPC meet with representatives of NHS Rotherham ensuring good communication and working relationships between them.

The Secretary is the first point of contact on Control of Entry Issues. The LPC works to ensure the interests of all the contractors are met when there are applications to be included in the Pharmaceutical List and also applications to dispense from Dispensing Doctors.

The new constitution provides important changes to ensure the LPC remains representative of the contractors that it serves.

Membership of the committee from April 2010 is no longer be restricted to pharmacists with non pharmacist members bringing a useful a range of expertise and resources to the committee. The term of office for LPC members expires on 31st March 2010. The new Constitution ensured that the committee membership was representative of the contractors, thus the numbers of CCA (Company Chemist Association) AIMp (Association of Independent Multi-ples) and Independent Contractor members is in direct proportion the numbers of contractors of each type the LPC represents. The two organisations, CCA and AIMp, selected their representatives. Elections were held to decide independent contractor members.

Along with the Chair and Vice chair I have been working to deliver the operational activity identified in the LPC self assessment. The self assessment report is available on the LPC website should you wish to monitor the LPC’s progress.

One of my primary objectives for the LPC during 09-10 was support to NHS Rotherham and represent pharmacy contractors interests with the predicted outbreak of swine flu. Community Pharmacy provided a network for supply of anti virals which provided a quick responsive service to patients and their representatives.

Meetings I have attended include:

Drug Related DeathsShared care monitoring

Pharmacy Development GroupPharmacy 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 has supported any contractor who required help with regards to monitoring visits.

Advanced Services

Advanced Services: During the year end March 2009 – beginning April 2010 (Rotherham Contractors only)

Enhanced Services

Service specifications, business plans and Service Level Agreements for Enhanced Services are developed by the PCT via the pharmacy development group in conjunction with the LPC. LPCs and pharmacy contractors are able to develop their own local services in response to identified needs. The Minor ailments management scheme was re-launched earlier in the year. NHS Rotherham also commission the following Enhanced services:

• Chlamydia testing
• 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 2009 – March 2010

Below are the contract applications that have been received by NHS Rotherham from March 2009 – April 2010.

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.

X = LPC Member Did not attend+ = LPC Member Attended

LPC Accounts for 2009 - 2010

New LPC as of 01/04/2010

As contractors will be aware there was an election in early 2010 and from May 2010 the following pharmacists and pharmacy representatives represent pharmacy contractor’s interests on the LPC:

CCA = Company Chemist Association

AIMp = Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies

LPC Web-site

The LPC has moved their website to PSNC main website, the website contains all of the LPC current and past activities, please feel free to access the web site on:

LPC Meeting Dates

Any contractor, pharmacist, locum or staff are more than welcome to attend LPC Meeting. If you could please let the LPC Secretary know if you would like to attend at

Below are the contact details and map of where the LPC meetings are held.

Red – Annual General Meetings of the Local Pharmaceutical Committee

Elton Hotel, Bramley, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S66 2SF Tel: 01709 545 681

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