David Bearman (Devon Local Pharmaceutical Committee) and Victoria Mitchell (NHS Devon ICB) presented the Devon Community Pharmacy Strategy Development and Healthcare Survey to the Board, and discussed:

a)     The purpose of the Pharmacy Strategy and ambitions for future pharmacy provision;

b)    Interconnected links between the Plymouth Pharmaceutical Assessment, and the Pharmacy Strategy;

c)     The importance of feedback and consultation in developing a Pharmacy Strategy for future sustainability;

d)    A target for completion of the strategy by May 2024;

e)     The opening of the Plymouth School of Pharmacy in September 2024, and potential benefits for workforce resource;

f)      Trends in Pharmacy reductions and retractions across Devon and Plymouth, and resulting risks;

g)     Flat Funding for Pharmacy provision which did not take into account of, or mitigate inflation;

h)    The demand for Pharmacists in Primary Care settings contributing to vacancies in community pharmacy. General workforce shortages across the sector, with limited training placements;

i)      Digital modernisation and integration with primary care systems;

j)      Significant opportunities and successes of community pharmacy, despite obvious pressures;

k)     Topics featured in the survey, and discussed by the Committee included:

                             i.     the role of Community Pharmacy;

                           ii.     what ‘good’ Community Pharmacy should look like;

                          iii.     what additional services Community Pharmacy should provide;

                          iv.     future sustainable models of Community Pharmacy;

                           v.     adequacy of current Pharmacy provision;

                          vi.     funding, workforce, capacity, and other barriers;

                         vii.     integration of Pharmacy with Primary Care.

In response to questions, the Board discussed:

l)      The importance of Community Pharmacy in reducing health inequalities;

m)   Potential integration of Pharmacy services with Wellbeing Hubs, as well as Primary Care;

n)    The impact and cause of medication shortages and delays;

o)    The importance of clear and effective communication following the publication of the new Pharmacy Strategy;

p)    The importance of Pharmacy accessibility;

q)    The benefit of the Pharmacy Strategy in informing the production of the Plymouth Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment.

The Board agreed to:

1.     Request a breakdown of the reasons for medication shortages and delays;

2.     Delegate to the Chair of the Plymouth Health and Wellbeing Board, authority to submit the final response to the Devon Community Pharmacy Strategy, healthcare professional survey, on behalf of the Plymouth H&WB.