The General Practice Forward View (GPFV), sets out a plan, backed by a multi-billion-pound investment, to stabilise and transform general practice. It has been developed by NHS England with Health Education England (HEE) and in discussion with the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) and other GP representatives.

The GPFV document contains specific practical and funded steps on investment, workforce, workload, infrastructure and care redesign. This PSNC Briefing summarises the elements of the plan which are of most relevance to community pharmacy.

PSNC Briefing 027/16: General Practice Forward View

PSNC’s view on the plans:

As part of our discussions following the DH letter to PSNC on 17th December 2015, we have put a number of proposals to the NHS that would enable community pharmacies to better support their local communities, to reduce burdens on other healthcare professionals, particularly GPs and to make savings for the NHS. Our proposals would support these new plans for general practice, and we hope they will be given proper consideration. Without making better use of community pharmacy we fear the pressures on primary care will remain an insurmountable challenge.

NHS England has rightly recognised the advantages that GPs and community pharmacy teams working together more closely would bring, and pharmacists working in GP practices must work as part of a team that properly integrates GP practices and community pharmacy teams. But these new plans to support GPs do not go far enough and they fail to take full advantage of community pharmacy. Community pharmacy teams provide help and advice to patients and the public in the heart of local communities, and we are ready, willing and able to do much more to support people to stay healthy and manage illness and to reduce the burden on GPs and hospitals. Minor ailments and emergency supply of medicines services are just two examples of community pharmacy services that we know could significantly reduce pressure on GP practices.

If you have queries on this PSNC Briefing or you require more information please contact Zainab Al-Kharsan, Service Development Pharmacist.

To browse other PSNC briefings on the healthcare landscape click here.