Change to August Pharmacy First monthly threshold

The ability of pharmacy owners to achieve the thresholds for the monthly Pharmacy First payment has been a topic of great concern for pharmacy owners and Community Pharmacy England, particularly as the August increase to 20 clinical pathways got closer.

We have been discussing this issue over the last few weeks with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England, and Ministers have now decided that they intend to adjust the August threshold for the Pharmacy First service to 15 in the light of the concerns that we have raised.

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Commenting on this decision, Janet Morrison, CEO, Community Pharmacy England said:

“We are pleased that Ministers have listened to our concerns and acted quickly to make an adjustment so soon after coming into office.  We had argued that the threshold should remain at ten at least whilst we had further discussions – but that is not something Ministers have decided to do.  This ministerial decision only provides an easement for the next month.  We will continue to work with DHSC and NHS England to review ongoing service data and consider its implications for the planned ramp up in thresholds for September and October in the light of the impact of seasonality and the low levels of GP referrals.

“We remain determined to push for full commitment on all sides to the shared objective of making the service a success, mindful that it is critical to the Government’s manifesto commitment to build on the service to create a wider Community Pharmacist Prescribing Service.

“It is our strongly held view that community pharmacy has carried out its side of the bargain in launching the Pharmacy First service – preparing and training their teams and promoting the service to GPs, other health professionals and the public.  You could not have worked harder.

“However, we believe that NHS England need to match that commitment through more effective advertising and ensuring that GPs refer as many patients as possible.”

 

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