NHS England

NHS England’s outsourcing of primary care support ‘a long way below acceptable standard’

A report from the National Audit Office says that support services provided to pharmacists, GPs, dentists and opticians are “a long way below an acceptable standard” after NHS England and Capita misunderstood the risks in outsourcing primary care support services.…

NHS 111 community pharmacy referral service to be extended to London, Devon and East Midlands

Exclusive A scheme that has seen thousands of patients referred to pharmacists after calling NHS 111 is to be extended to London, Devon and the East Midlands.…

‘Radical change’ needed to hit hepatitis C targets

A “radical change” in the health service’s response to the hepatitis C virus among people who inject drugs is required if NHS England’s target to eliminate the disease by 2025 is to be met.…

Common foundation programme to be introduced for all pharmacists, reveals CPhO

All pharmacists will take part in a common foundation programme after preregistration training, under plans being developed by NHS England and Health Education England.…

Up to 350,000 more people could be given personal health budgets

Some 350,000 more people in England could have access to their own individual health budget under government proposals that are now out for consultation.…

Review of 2013 NHS regulations highlights concerns around misuse by distance selling pharmacies

A post-implementation review of the NHS (Pharmaceutical and Local Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2013, has revealed that a small proportion of distance selling pharmacies (DSPs) have been misusing the DSP exemption in order to supply local, rather than national, delivery services.…

Paramedics can now become independent prescribers

Advanced paramedic practitioners are now entitled to train to become independent prescribers across the UK, NHS England has announced.…

Community pharmacy funding to stay at 2017/2018 levels until negotiations begin with DHSC

The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed that community pharmacy fees and allowances will not change from April 2018 as part of interim funding arrangements for 2018/2019.…

Some protections for vulnerable patients as NHS England rules out routine prescribing of common OTC products

Guidance approved by the NHS will restrict over-the-counter prescriptions for 35 minor health conditions, with some exemptions for those less able to manage self-care.…

Education on self-care is better than restriction of OTC medicines, RPS says

Proposals to restrict prescribing of over-the-counter medicines for 33 minor, short-term health concerns could discriminate against certain groups, the RPS has said.…