- Publication detail
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The Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) is a statutory responsibility of Health and Wellbeing Boards to produce every three years. The purpose of the PNA is to assess local needs and identify gaps for pharmaceutical provision across Coventry and Warwickshire. It is a tool to enable Health and Wellbeing Boards to identify the current and future commissioning of services required from pharmaceutical providers.
Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council Health and Wellbeing Boards have approached the development of the 2022 PNA as a collaborative project, with one report being produced for both areas. This report replaces the 2018 PNA for both Coventry and Warwickshire.
The PNA makes the following overall recommendations:
- Currently there is a sufficient provision of pharmacies. Supplementary statements will be produced by the Community Pharmacy Steering Group on behalf of both the Coventry and Warwickshire Health and Wellbeing Boards should there be a significant change across Coventry and Warwickshire or within localities. Significant new housing developments should also be considered.
- Consideration should be given to the increase in pressure on community pharmacies caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly as the country enters a cost-of-living crisis.
- Consideration of any change within predominantly rural areas should be undertaken within the lifetime of the PNA.
- Consideration should be given to commissioning evening or weekend rotas if needed to support extended hours by general practice in addition to the current bank holiday rotas.
- There is an opportunity for more joined up work when it comes to signposting, both to and from community pharmacies. Community pharmacies should be continually consulted as to the best pathways for care. Patients, public, and other care settings should be provided with clear information on opening times, services offered (including provision of confidential consulting space), and alternative provisions when pharmacies are not open.
- Health Education England (HEE) training should be supported for prescribers in community pharmacies.
- The HEE Community Pharmacy Survey 2021 should be used when released later in 2022 to help understand community pharmacy workforce further, and support should be given to the delivery of an annual HEE Community Pharmacy Survey to build data and insight going forward, including use in the next PNA.
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