Baroness Merron has tried to alleviate concerns that some GPs in England are unwilling to refer patients to Pharmacy First by insisting the government is aware of the issue and is “acting on it.”

She made her remarks during a debate in the Lords last week on pharmacy closures in which she was challenged by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster to say what Labour is doing about a lack of cooperation from GPs.

When asked if she will consider whether “action is needed” to ensure GPs work with pharmacists, Baroness Merron said NHS England is working closely with integrated care boards, GPs and community pharmacy to improve referrals.

“This is a new service. It needs to bed in,” she said. “Funding has also been provided to ICBs for primary care network engagement leads, who should be well placed to support GP teams to refer into the service.

“We are aware of (the reports), we are acting on it and we will continue to keep it under review.”

What does 'acting on it' really mean?

Independent Community Pharmacist asked the Department of Health and Social Care, where Baroness Merron is a health minister, for clarification on how it is acting on the issue.

Pharmacists in some parts of the country have told ICP that GPs in their area are not referring patients to Pharmacy First. ICP has contacted the British Medical Association for a response.

There have also been concerns financially stretched pharmacies are struggling to meet Pharmacy First targets without improved funding and resources.

Is pharmacy in a ‘healthy state’ to support Pharmacy First?

Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville questioned whether community pharmacy was “in a healthy state to support Pharmacy First” given there had been a net loss of 1,200 pharmacies in England since 2017.

Baroness Merron said it was “important to look at some of the reasons for the closures” and insisted the “majority of recent closures were the result of large pharmacy chains optimising their portfolios.”

Former health secretary Andrew Lansley said the government should “guide” ICBs “to commission additional services from pharmacies.”

“They have often not been commissioned with a sustainable funding model,” he said. “Dispensing is not enough. They can provide important preventive services and minor illness services.

“However, they need the commissioning revenue to enable them to sustain their position.”

Image: Baroness Merron (www.parliament.uk)