The NHS Confederation believes community pharmacy has a valuable role to play in supporting the shift within the NHS from secondary to primary care.

Community pharmacy is a key element of the Government's modernisation strategy for the NHS. Primary care trusts (PCTs) now have numerous responsibilities to develop community pharmacy. These responsibilities include implementing the new contract for community pharmacists, developing local pharmacy services in line with primary care contracting competency frameworks, implementing Department of Health guidance for clinical governance and delivering pharmacy targets in the future. The flexibilities introduced by the new GMS contract also enable an enhanced role for community pharmacists in the delivery of primary care services.

NHS Employers continues to represent the NHS at the ongoing negotiating meetings between the Department of Health and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC). For more information about this work including details of relevant publications and events, go to the NHS Employers website. See also pages on our work on primary care sector.

How we involve members

We hold specific seminars and meetings to inform our policy positions - invitations usually appear in interchange alert as well as specific invitations. Also NHS Employers representatives at negotiating meetings are drawn from the service. We have regular meetings bringing together key stakeholders with NHS Confederation members.

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