Health Secretary announces mission to improve the health of the nation

Yesterday, new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting announced plans for his Department to expand its focus to boost economic growth, which includes an objective to cut waiting times and improve public health. This is in line with Labour’s health mission, which Community Pharmacy England has been considering for some time.

Our CEO Janet Morrison said:

“A refocussing of healthcare towards public health and prevention is not only critical for the future of the NHS, but is also where community pharmacy excels. The community pharmacy network can – and already does – provide easily accessible healthcare support to the public, and could be enabled to do more.

The announcements so far from the Secretary of State have all been in line with Labour’s health mission which we have been considering for some time. I have written to the new Secretary of State this week setting out just how much pharmacies could contribute to the Government’s wider ambitions for health services if they have the right investment and support to do so. We are ready to take forward discussions on the future: pharmacy needs answers on the contractual framework for this year, and we are also keen to explore Labour’s ideas for a Community Pharmacist Prescribing Service.

Community Pharmacy England’s Committee has been considering our priority proposals for the new Government – with input from the whole sector – and engaging with the Labour health team, for many months. Our proposals include an early focus on public health services and measures that could help to reduce pressure on GP practices. We look forward to discussing these with the new Government Health Team very soon, and hope that we can work at pace to develop a shared ambition for pharmacies, coupled with the right investment and sustainable contractual framework.”

Further information

Last month, the Community Pharmacy England Committee considered priorities for the new Government, with an early focus on public health services and measures that could help to reduce pressure on GP practices, such as expanding Pharmacy First.

We have written to the new Health Secretary this week and also co-signed a joint letter to him from national pharmacy bodies, calling for investment in community pharmacy and support for the sector’s pressing challenges.

Read more about Community Pharmacy England’s plans for working with the new Government

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