Agenda item

(To receive a report by Tony McGinty (Interim Director of Public Health) on behalf of the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) Steering Group which invites the Board to approve the draft PNA in preparation for the consultation, planned between 11 December 2017 and 11 February 2018)

Consideration was given to a report by Tony McGinty (Interim Director of Public Health), on behalf of the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) Steering Group, which invited the Board to approve the draft PNA in preparation for the consultation planned between 11 December 2017 and 11 February 2018.

The Interim Director of Public Health introduced the report and explained that the completion of a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) was a statutory duty for Health and Wellbeing Boards to undertake at least every three years.  The data contained within the assessment would be used to plan pharmaceutical services in the county which best met local health needs.

The Board delegated the work to publish a PNA by 1^st April 2017 to a PNA Steering Group with regular updates to the Board on its progress.  The draft PNA was approved by the Steering Group at its meeting on 10 November 2017.  Pending the approval of the Board, it would then be made available for a mandatory 60-day consultation.

The results of the consultation would be considered by the Steering Group on 28 February 2018, following which a final PNA would be produced with a recommendation to the Board at its meeting on 27 March 2018 to publish the document. It was also confirmed that the final PNA must be published no later than 31 March 2018.

It was reported that the consultation, at this stage, was targeted at pharmaceutical professionals (pharmacists, chemists, etc) and not designed for members of the public due to its complex and technical content.

During discussion, the following points were noted:-

·       Access to pharmacies at weekends, especially in rural areas, was highlighted as an issue and a suggestion made that even opening for two hours per day would be beneficial to residents;

·       It was acknowledged that the provision was reduced over the weekend but, when benchmarked with other areas, Lincolnshire did not particularly stand out which was the reason why the county did not officially have a 'technical gap';

·       Although not directed at members of the public, it was suggested that some may wish to comment on the document.  It was explained that there was no legal obligation to distribute paper copies of the document and that it would be available on the LCC website.  It was also reiterated that anyone intending to answer the questions would have to read all elements of the document to be able to do so;

·       The consultation at this stage was to ascertain if the assessment gave an accurate picture of current services in Lincolnshire; and

·       Healthwatch had also been part of this process and it was confirmed that they would be happy to assist any member of the public who wished to understand the content and answer the questions.  Healthwatch would also be publicising the PNA throughout their own networks also.      

RESOLVED

1.    That the conclusions of the draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) be noted;

2.    That the draft PNA, in preparation for consultation, be approved by the Board;

3.    That a consultation on a draft PNA for Lincolnshire planned between 11 December 2017 and 11 February 2018 be noted; and

4.    That the progress and project plan timelines from the 'Lincolnshire PNA Steering Group' on the production of the 2018 Lincolnshire PNA be noted.