Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

NHS pumps £20m into PCN and community pharmacy-led Covid-19 vaccination sites

The NHS is to provide an additional £20 million to support primary care network (PCN) and community pharmacy-led Covid-19 vaccination sites.

Each Sustainability Transformation Partnerships (STP) and Integrated Care Systems (ICS) has been allocated a proportion of the £20m funding to boost the vaccination drive.


"We will provide an additional £20 million to ICS/STPs to support primary

care providers to draw down additional staff through their lead employer

to help deliver the Covid-19 vaccination programme between 16 June

and 14 July 2021, a letter issued on June 10 said.

The funding has been allocated on the basis of site numbers to provide an average of seven additional staff for the four week period covering a range of roles depending on need.

The letter said over 100,000 experienced and trained staff as well as volunteers, fully vetted and trained, were ready to help with vaccination delivery and workforce.

It asked the ICSs to work with their PCNs, community pharmacy-led vaccination sites and their lead employer to ensure this funding is deployed where it is most needed to increase uptake and tackle health inequalities.

'Pharmacy appointment for second dose could be brought forward'

On another note, the NHS leadership asked CCGs and ICSs to consider  supporting community pharmacies to bring forward appointments and maximise second dose appointments on the National Booking System.

CCGs have also been asked to minimise any burden associated with locally commissioned services while the push on vaccination was on.

Finally, the letter states that vaccination providers will be earlier notice of vaccine supply as the NHS moves to a new allocations timetable. They will be provided with the final weekly vaccine schedule 17 days prior to the start of the vaccination week.

"This should give sites more time to plan workforce and enable patients to book appointments further ahead than has been previously possible."

More For You

GP surgery upgrades for annual appointments

The surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”

Pic credit: iStock

GP surgery upgrades to create 8.3 million more annual appointments

Over 1,000 GP surgeries will have their premises modernised to meet the needs of a further 8.3 million appointments each year, the government has announced.

Backed by a cash injection of over £102 million, the surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wales boosts funding for pharmacy-led UTI and sore throat test services

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service will be widely available

Pic credit: istock

Welsh pharmacies receive funding boost for clinical services

Two key clinical services will be available in 99 per cent of community pharmacies across Wales after a boost in funding.

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service and the urinary tract infection (UTI) service have both benefitted from contractual negotiations between the Welsh Government and Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW).

Keep ReadingShow less
Paul Bennett
Paul Bennett, CEO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Paul Bennett, CEO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Pharmacists need to take advantage of independent prescribing pathways, says Bennett

Independent prescribing will be a “significant point” in the history of community pharmacy, according to Royal Pharmaceutical Society chief executive Paul Bennett.

Last month, the RPS announced the launch of a comprehensive new prescribing development programme to support pharmacists across all stages of their prescribing careers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Community Pharmacy Scotland secures £10m reimbursement uplift amid ongoing negotiations

Negotiations continue on the Global Sum element of remuneration.

Getty Images

Community Pharmacy Scotland secures £120m reimbursement deal for 2025/26

Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) has accepted the Scottish government’s initial financial offer for the 2025/26 fiscal year, securing a guaranteed minimum reimbursement of £120 million for community pharmacies — up from £110 million from 2024/25.

The agreement marks the first phase of ongoing negotiations surrounding community pharmacy funding for the upcoming financial year.

Keep ReadingShow less