To consider and sign off the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment.

Rebecca Willans, Consultant in Public Health – Public Health Hub Berkshire East, explained that the last Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) had expired in April, there was a requirement for the latest PNA to be approved by 1^st October 2022. The statutory role of the Health & Wellbeing Board was to assess the need for pharmaceutical services in the area and to publish a statement of its assessment. The requirements regarding the process and contents were set out in legislation. The PNA considered the geographical location of pharmacies and the provisions of services. If an individual wanted to provide pharmaceutical services, it needed to apply to NHS England. This was regarded as a ‘market entry’ system.

There was a need to establish a governance process, with a steering group which contained appropriate representation. The contractor survey went out to all pharmacies, while the public survey looked to gauge what public opinion was about services provided in the area. The PNA was agreed and signed off pre-consultation, the PNA had then gone out for a 60 day consultation. There was a final review before the final report was drafted. The final report was what the Board was considering today, for approval and sign off. It was agreed by the Director of Public Health for Berkshire East that the PNA would be commissioned to a third-party provider. This provider was called Health Dialogues.

Ashlee Mulimba, Healthy Dialogues, explained that all localities across the borough needed to be considered, this was based on ward level. The different needs of each ward were assessed, along with the different needs of those who shared a protected characteristic. The PNA needed to consider whether there was sufficient choice with regard to obtaining pharmaceutical services and to identify any gaps in the provision of services. These gaps could include geographical gaps in the location of premises, geographical gaps in the provision of services, and gaps in the times or days at which services were provided.

In total, there were 29 pharmacies in RBWM. Analysis had been done to consider the number of residents who were within 1 mile of these pharmacies and also how much of the borough was covered by a 20 minutes travel time in a car. Deprivation and population density were also considered. Healthy Dialogues considered that there was good access to essential, advanced and other NHS pharmaceutical services for residents in RBWM, therefore there were no gaps identified in the provision of services.

Rebecca Willans concluded by saying that the Board was being asked to agree with these conclusions and sign off the PNA, so that it could be published on the website.

Councillor Coppinger noted that there had been an increase in the number of online pharmacies. He asked what impact this could have on local pharmacies.

Ashlee Mulimba said there should not be an impact, pharmacies also provided advice and signposting, so they were therefore an important resource for local communities.

Huw Thomas felt that it was a comprehensive report. Pharmacies were an important part of the NHS health provision across the borough. They were underutilised, residents were encouraged to visit their local pharmacy if they needed any advice.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Health and Wellbeing Board noted the report and:

i)             Approved the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2022-2025 for publication.

ii)            Approved the publication of the PNA to the RBWM website.

iii)           Noted that if significant changes occurred during the lifespan of the PNA, the Health & Wellbeing Board would be notified.