Judge contract applications on essential services only, say pharmacists in Wales
Applications for NHS pharmacy contracts in Wales should not be decided on the basis of ability to provide either advanced or enhanced pharmaceutical services, Community Pharmacy Wales has told the Welsh Assembly Government.
Responding to a WAG consultation on reforming the rules governing contract
applications, CPW takes the view that only an ability to deliver essential
services is relevant to the contract application process. However, it
concedes that local health boards (LHBs) could “give due regard” to
any potential contractor’s ability to deliver advanced services
or to participate in locally commissioned enhanced services.
CPW also opposes the provision of innovative services as a criterion
for deciding contract applications. Such services might not be in line
with patient needs and could lead to inconsistencies, it says. If innovative
services were needed, they would be identified by LHBs and commissioned
as enhanced services. CPW opposes the inclusion of improving choice as
a determining factor for the same reason. However, it adds that any offers
by contract applicants to provide specific services should be binding
if the contract is subsequently awarded.
On patient needs, CPW suggests that LHBs should be required to carry
out annual pharmaceutical needs assessments. |
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