1. business and industrial
2. pharmaceutical industry

Pharmaceutical Needs
Assessment
Why we consulted
A draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) was prepared in the months leading up to January 2015. It
is a statutory responsibility to consult on the PNA before it is finalised and published in line with the
guidance on developing PNAs and section 242 of the Health Service Act 2012. It is important that
stakeholders have an opportunity to feedback on the PNA and the conclusions about pharmaceutical
provision made within.
When we consulted
15 January 2015 to 15 March 2015.
How we consulted
In keeping with the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services and Local Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations (2013)
the following stakeholders were consulted during this time:
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Gateshead Local Pharmaceutical Committee
Gateshead Local Medical Committee
All persons on the pharmaceutical lists and all dispensing doctors list in Gateshead
LPS chemists in Gateshead with whom NHS England has made arrangements for the provision of any
local pharmaceutical services;
Gateshead Clinical Commissioning Group
Gateshead Healthwatch
Queen Elizabeth NHS Foundation Trust, and NTW Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
NHS England
Neighbouring HWBs in Newcastle, Durham, Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland.
General Practitioners
Letters were sent to all consultees informing them of the web site address which contained the draft PNA
document.
Feedback
Twelve responses were received, nine through the website post box and three by letter. The website
allowed anyone to respond anonymously but note was taken of the themes raised by their responses.
Letters were received from the Local Pharmaceutical committee, the Local Medical Committee and NHS
England. Issues raised when the document was discussed at the Health and Wellbeing Board have also
been included in this report.
Two of the responses through the web site considered that the pharmacy services provided in Gateshead
were good and could not think of areas for improvement. One respondent talked about the waste
generated by patients who did not value the medicines they were prescribed. Five respondents raised
issues about the pharmacy services in the evenings and weekends being difficult to access, especially those
living in the west of Gateshead and in the rural areas. Two of these respondents went further, suggesting
that pharmacies be open 24 hours per day. The final response mirrored many of the issues raised by the
Local Pharmaceutical Committee.
The Local Medical Committee felt that there was adequate provision of pharmaceutical services currently
and for the foreseeable future, but urged that care was taken not to destabilise the present service
provision.
NHS England had invited the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Local professional network (LPN) for its
views on the draft PNA document. NHS England and the LPN were of the view that while Sunday and Bank
Holiday services may be limited, a need for more services had not been demonstrated. Should such a need
be demonstrated, then NHS England would assess any gaps in service and commission additional pharmacy
hours where necessary.
The Local Pharmaceutical Committee provided a very useful document which listed several inaccuracies –
mostly of terminology, which have been corrected in the final document. They provided information on
new services which could be commissioned from community pharmacies to meet the health needs of the
residents of Gateshead identified in the document. Suggestions for improvements in the minor ailments
scheme will be passed on to the Clinical Commissioning Group which commissions this service. Other
suggestions, including brief alcohol interventions, expansion of the flu scheme, and sexual health services
will be passed on to the relevant specialists in the Public Health team.
Discussion of the document at the Health and Wellbeing Board again raised the issue of availability and
accessibility of pharmacy services in the out of hours period, particularly for those reliant on public
transport or who live in the more rural areas in west Gateshead. The Health and Wellbeing Board also
raised the issue of whether there was a correlation between closing times of pharmacies and an increase in
access to other services e.g. minor injuries units.
Given that the issue of accessibility of pharmacy services out of hours has been raised by so many
respondents, a piece of work should be commissioned to quantify this problem and propose potential
solutions. If it is determined that there are gaps in pharmacy services, then a supplementary statement will
be added to the Pharmacy Needs Assessment, and NHS England will be notified of the gaps to allow them
to commission services to fill those gaps in service.
Next steps
The final PNA will be updated to reflect these concerns by addition of an extra paragraph in Chapter 8…
Following consultation, several respondents raised concerns about the accessibility of pharmacy services
outside normal hours. Gateshead council therefore recommends that pharmacy services in the out of
hours period are reviewed to ensure that they meet the needs of Gateshead residents. Should gaps in
service be identified a supplementary statement will be added to this Pharmacy Needs Assessment.
Recommendations in the final PNA will also be updated to reflect these concerns namely:
Gateshead Council concludes that there is adequate provision of NHS pharmaceutical services across
Gateshead during normal hours. The Council considers that supermarket pharmacies meet patients’ needs
by widening access to pharmaceutical services when other pharmacies are closed. However following
consultation Gateshead Council would like to see a review of accessibility of out of hours services.