16:3 14/11 - Dispensary

We have had some brilliant support from patients (see earlier news item)
Please keep it up.
Thanks.

November 2008

Dear Patient

GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION ON THE DISPENSING OF TABLETS – AND HOW IT MAY AFFECT YOU

When you see a doctor at The Spinney, your tablets are either dispensed at a pharmacy or at the surgery itself. We would like to be able to dispense for all our patients but the NHS will only allow us to do so if a patient lives more than a mile from a pharmacy. Nearly one-third of our patients live more than a mile from a pharmacy and the majority choose to collect their prescriptions from the Surgery. In most instances the prescription is made up as soon as it is prescribed and before the patient leaves the Surgery.

The Government has started a consultation which may lead to a reduction in choice for those patients who use our dispensary. The Government White Paper is called Pharmacy in England, Building on strengths – delivering the future, 3rd April 2008, and can be read on-line at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_083815.
In the White Paper people are being asked their opinion on four choices, in respect to where they collect their prescriptions:


1. No change.

2. Make the local PCT - NHS Cambridgeshire - responsible for the planning of dispensing services, which could result in changes to the status quo.

3. Replace the 'One mile Rule' with one that relies on the distance of the pharmacy from the Surgery rather than the patient's home - for The Spinney Surgery this would mean the removal of choice for all patients who currently have their prescriptions dispensed in the practice, as we would not be able to dispense any more.

4. A variation of Option 3 but uses the distance of two pharmacies from the Surgery - this would have the same effect as Option 3.


We feel that the outcome of the Government White Paper might threaten our dispensing services for those patients who use them. Not only would this remove choice and convenience, it would also reduce the income received from dispensing, which is used by us to fund many of the other services that we provide.

If you agree with us, that our dispensary might be threatened, please consider writing in as part of the Consultation. If you are a dispensing patient please inform the Government of the benefits this service provides you. It would be useful for us to have a copy of your letter or e mail, by sending to Debbie Wheatley or emailing her at Debbie.wheatley@nhs.net.

The closing date for responses is 20th November 2008.

Please write to: Gillian Farnfield,
Department of Health
Medicines, Pharmacy and Industry Group
Area 453D, Skipton House
80 London Road
LONDON SE1 6LH
Or e-mail PWPCONS@dh.gsi.gov.uk

Thank you for your support.