Some done, much more to do

Dear NPA Member,

Like you, I’ve spent the week trying to absorb the detail of the funding settlement that was published on Monday. There’s a huge amount of information, so do look at the briefing put together by the NPA team that gives some guidance on how to deal with it now.

It was fabulous to see so many colleagues join us last night in person and online at our member forum in Nottingham. It’s vital to hear what you’re making of this deal so thank you to everyone for their comments. Let us know what you think.

We’ve lined the deal up against the NPA’s five tests for a settlement and it’s clear that although some tests are met, some are not and the jury is out on others. And it’s clear that it’s impossible to be sanguine about an offer that falls far short of the cost estimates the NHS itself commissioned.

It certainly doesn’t do all we wanted and I understand why some people are angry. Giving Pharmacy Minister Stephen Kinnock credit where it’s due, he’s also acknowledged that this falls short, and has pointed to reform as a way forward.

So what do we do now?

Firstly, we’re here to support you with measures you can take now.

We have a webinar on Thursday to go through the practical implications of the deal. And we have a wealth of material on how you can make savings, change your services and implement new services to support your bottom line and your patients.

The team are also working flat out on a programme of resources and insight to support business change in a changing world. That won’t be theory, it’ll be tried and tested solutions that have worked for colleagues in our network. You’ll see more of that later this Spring.

Secondly we need to look to the next phase of our campaign.

Let no one be in any doubt that, together, we have pushed community pharmacy further up the political and public agenda than ever before. And that has created the environment in which Government felt it had to give pharmacy the biggest percentage rise in the NHS.  We’re proud of that, and you should be proud of what you’ve done too. Thank you for standing tall and backing your profession.

What’s next? The deal for this year is done, and we have to influence Ministers on the NHS 10 year plan, the Government’s spending review and the consultation on 26/7 funding to win everyone the support they need and deserve. That’ll mean getting in the room with the right people. We’ll never stop advocating for pharmacies, so we will look at the best tactics to influence what’s now a new situation.

We have a brilliant team at the NPA and that same team are working right now on the best way forward. It might look different but it’ll be focussed 100% on getting the best possible result.

I’m bringing the NPA board together next week to discuss next steps.

It’s been quite a week, but we are here to support you, so please get in touch with the team if we can do anything for you.

Have a good week,

Nick

Nick Kaye

NPA Chair