Pharmacy: Evidence to the Health and Social Care Committee
The health and care system faces long-term challenges which are driving increasing waiting times, putting pressure on NHS staff and adding strain on the public purse.
Against this, resources need to be efficiently utilised across the system. The pandemic has emphasised the vital role that pharmacies can play in our local communities and the enormous amount of clinical expertise they have, with scope for greater involvement.
Identifying more ways to integrate pharmacy services with the wider system and exploring how pharmacists can get more involved in discussions about healthcare planning is key to meeting the growing needs of local populations which the inquiry must look at.
The sector also needs support with recruitment and retention, significant investment in the estate and a long-term funding settlement which is robust enough to deal with changing economic circumstances, or we risk losing an asset that bucks the inverse care law.
