MS, Cabinet Secretary for
Health and Social Services: The Welsh Government values the role
community pharmacies play as an integral part of primary care in
Wales and the hard work of pharmacists and community pharmacy
staff. As a reflection of this, we are providing record levels
of investment in community pharmacy.
Remuneration for community pharmacy falls outside the scope of
the NHS Pay Review Bodies'
recommendations, however, we previously committed to a fair
and proportionate pay uplift across primary care,
covering community pharmacies, NHS optometrists, all staff
working in general practice and NHS dental services,
in recognition of the vital role they all play in delivering
essential services to people in every part of Wales.
I am pleased we have reached an agreement with the NHS and
Community Pharmacy Wales, which is the statutory representative
body of every community pharmacy, on an increase of 6% in the
fees and allowances payable to the sector and the distribution of
the additional investment.
The £9.9m increase in the Community Pharmacy Contractual
Framework (CPCF) will take total CPCF funding to £175m a year,
representing a 24% increase in funding since 2017.
This investment will be used to address both immediate pressures
facing community pharmacies and to maintain momentum on our
longer-term ambitions for reform, which are set out
in Presgripsiwn Newydd - A
New Prescription (gov.wales).
This significant investment will:
- Ensure we maintain progress with our contractual reforms,
continuing to reward pharmacies which have successfully
transitioned to the new clinical service-led delivery model, and
support more pharmacies to make that transition
- Provide pharmacy contractors with longer term certainty on
the funding available for dispensing prescriptions, and the level
at which dispensing fees will be maintained
- Rebalance funding for the elements of CPCF to take account of
changes in the market and provide additional funding to support
targeted activities to support our priorities
- Provide contractors and health boards with a clear steer on
how this will be distributed in future financial years and during
the transition.
This agreement is underpinned by measures to increase capacity
within community pharmacies, allowing them to deliver NHS
services more effectively.
As well as funding to encourage and reward clinical service
provision, there will be continued investment in integrating
pharmacies in primary care clusters; ongoing commitment to
further development of the skills and scope of practice of the
wider community pharmacy workforce including pharmacy
technicians, and in the Choose Pharmacy IT system.
We are rapidly rolling out the Electronic Prescription Service,
which is now available in the first wave of pharmacies and GP
practices in every health board. Amendments have been made to the
terms of service for pharmacies to improve the efficiency of
dispensing, reduce administrative burden and free up time for
pharmacists and their teams to focus on delivering the fullest
range of clinical services, improving access to primary care and
taking pressure off other parts of the NHS.
We have also made more than £0.5m in capital funding available to
pharmacies this year to support investment in automation, new
private consultation areas, and reducing community pharmacy's
carbon footprint.
The investment we are making in community pharmacy underpins our
ambitious reform of primary care, provides for the long-term
sustainability of pharmacies, and will help ensure the NHS
maximises the use of the skills and expertise of pharmacists,
pharmacy technicians and the wider pharmacy team in every
community in Wales.
This statement is being issued during recess to keep Members
informed. Should Members wish me to make a further statement or
to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be
happy to do so.
