The conduct of the health board’s leadership in its handling of the community pharmacy bid in Uist is raising a few eyebrows and it may well be called to account for that before long. However, no less a person than the health secretary himself now accepts that the current application process in place is a complete and utter mess.
This is a most interesting report that can be found online which shows the work MSPs Jean Urquhart and Bruce Crawford have been doing. It also confirms that Alex Neil acknowledges the concerns in Uist and what he thinks about the process.
Scottish secretary pledges swift consultation on pharmacy rules
Current legislation is described as “absurd”
By Ailsa Colquhoun 14th of November 2013
Current pharmacy legislation in Scotland is not fit for purpose. Neither do communities have a voice in the current application process. “I intend to bring [this] to an end, sooner rather than later”, health and wellbeing secretary Alex Neil has said in the first ‘Ask the Secretary’ question time, held in the Scottish Parliament recently.
The question on pharmacy applications in rural areas was one of 18 questions (out of over 120 submitted) to be put to the Scottish health secretary in the first question time held on 12th of November.
Posted by Scottish dispensing practice advocate Alan Kennedy, the question read: “The Cabinet Secretary has now agreed that pharmacy applications are adversely affecting patients in rural areas and is carrying out a review of such legislation. Will the Cabinet Secretary direct that the review should include specific legislative change to encourage approval of applications where a community’s patients support co-located GP and pharmacy practices, and that such applications must not be overturned by objections from pharmacists operating outwith the neighbourhood of the GP practices concerned?”
Responding, Health and Wellbeing secretary Alex Neil said: “I am looking at two things as part of the review. One is the criteria for approving pharmacy applications. As you know, there are currently major concerns about an application in Uist; there are also concerns in rural Stirlingshire and other parts of Scotland. I do not think that the current legislative framework is fit for purpose, so we are reviewing it. I hope to be able to go out to consultation on the issue very soon.
In parallel and as part of the same review, I am looking at the process. It became very clear to me that the community has no voice in the current application process. That is an absurd situation. I intend to bring it to an end and to put in place, sooner rather than later, a system that takes much more account of what the community needs and wants, instead of allowing large monopolies to dominate proceedings. That is exactly what we are looking at, and I will bring forward proposals to the Parliament on that.”
However, when asked about the possibility of emergency legislation, to call a moratorium on new applications, Mr Neil said: “Had I the legal power, I would definitely have imposed a moratorium until we have reviewed the rules. We are going to do things quickly anyway. [Reviewing] the regulations will be secondary legislation, whereas giving me the power to call a moratorium would require primary legislation. Given that it would take much longer to get primary legislation than it would to change the existing position through secondary legislation.”
Commenting on the response, Alan Kennedy from Balmullo told DDA Online: “Whist we did not hear anything new it is now possible for practices affected to argue at Health Board PPC meetings that the Legislation is ‘unfit for purpose’.
“Health Boards have all the power and they now need to be reminded that they should take cognisance of the fact that PPCs are applying decisions to cases where the legislation is flawed and the public have no voice. Maybe, they can dictate some form of moratorium by delaying hearings until new legislation is forthcoming?”
Prior to the question and answer session, Mr Neil was pressed on the timescale for the review of Scottish pharmacy legislation by rural MSPs Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (Ind) and Bruce Crawford (Stirling) (SNP).
Mr Neil told Ms Urquhart: “The review… is nearing completion of its first stage, which has involved identifying the full range of powers that are available in primary and secondary legislation and how the framework can be better constructed to deliver the best possible outcome for patients and NHS pharmaceutical care and primary medical services in rural communities. I expect to announce shortly the next steps in taking that forward, including any consultation on the key issues that are identified.”
He also told Ms Urquhart that he was “very familiar with the situation in Uist and indeed in other parts of Scotland-in particular, in rural Stirlingshire”. Bruce Crawford also told the cabinet secretary about new applications to open pharmacies in Aberfoyle and Drymen.
Mr Neil is also expected to answer questions on the pharmacy regulations review on 20th and 22nd of November, following questions by, respectively: David Stewart (Highlands and Islands, Labour) and Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands, LibDem).
Published online by Dispensing Doctors’ Association (link here):
My word what is happening? a politician who is listening to the people,wonders will never cease! It is amazing that one person who brings what is going on in the secret process to the fore,(you know I mean you AW). and all of a sudden politicians are scared of the fall out.
Davey, this is just the beginning! I have just heard from a reliable source (retired clergy) that the applicant didn’t include North Uist at first, nor did he consult with them, as he had no intention of providing a service in this area. He was persuaded to change his mind at 11th hour by NHS (!!) as Benbecula on its own would be neither “viable or sustainable”. Applicant was until recently an employee of NHS at Stornoway hospital. I suspect NHS budget holders have already factored savings into next year’s spending.on basis of pharmacy approval (savings by loss of two GP’s and six pharmacy assistants). I may be sacked but I wont be silenced! At least Alex Neil and Labour List MSP’s are listening and by all accounts Cabinet Secretary not amused: “Process is absurd and not fit for purpose”.
Well surely the application is not legal. The initial proposal was for benbecula, I did not see a new one for benbecula/north Uist.
Unfortunately Andrew I think you did your community a disservice by coming out as a lay member. Looks like the health board had/have already made the decision against the wishes of the whole of the southern islands.
I think it is time for the populace of the western isles to show what they are made of. We trust those who are running our Health Board and Council Services, and living in a democracy we should be informed by these people. When one learns of the underhanded way that decisions are made and people are trampled on (or sacked for speaking out), it is time to take the leaders to task.
Neil Galbraith was removed from his position as Director of Education albeit a mutual decision, he left with a good pension and severance pay. He then took over as Chairman of the Health Board, I for one was not given a vote on this appointment were you? He now has took it on himself to again flaunt his position,and unilateraly remove someone who doesn’t agree with his policy. Well Mr Galbraith I don’t agree with you and feel you should be sacked from your position, but the difference? this is not a unilateral decision there is support from all over these islands. Gordon Jameson as CEO of the Health Board do yourself and the rest of the community a favour bring pressure on this man to resign and bring someone into this post who will represent the people. Be warned his actions will have a terrible effect on your positition.