The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 280 No 7494 p327
22 March 2008

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Consider adjusting opening hours now that GPs open longer

Pharmacy contractors should establish whether local surgeries are intending to amend their opening hours and consider whether their own hours need to be adjusted after doctors accepted the Government’s proposal to open an extra 30 minutes for every 1,000 registered patients.

Changes to a pharmacy’s supplementary hours can be made without primary care trust approval but at least 90 days notice must be given. The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee said this week that it is unlikely a PCT would be acting in the public interest if it rigorously enforced that provision in cases where contractors wanted to open for the additional hours immediately.

The PSNC is advising local pharmaceutical committees to discuss the issue with their PCTs. Changes to a pharmacy’s core opening hours require PCT approval.