The Community Pharmacy England recently met with the leaders of Conservative Party and wrapped up their interaction with major parties during this political party conference season to pitch for their cause.
The CPE team attended many events during the Conservative Party conference, held between 4 and 7 October, to hear more about their plan to develop healthcare policy and to advocate for community pharmacy.
They were able to speak with key Opposition MPs, including members of the Shadow Health Team, as well as policy influencers and health stakeholders.
The CPE team held a roundtable with Damian Hinds MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, exploring how more healthcare can be delivered closer to home.
An event hosted in partnership with Re:State, ‘Community centric: the future of healthcare closer to home’ brought together MPs, healthcare stakeholders and policy influencers to discuss how community-based healthcare can evolve, the role of innovation in improving access to care, and the contribution community pharmacy can make.
The team also attended fringe events and met with other key stakeholders.
The CPE said it has been to ensure that as many influential people as possible fully understand both the potential of the community pharmacy sector and the significant strain that it is still under.
CPE Director of Communications, Corporate and Public Affairs Zoe Long and CPE Committee Member Dervis Gurol highlighted the contribution pharmacies make through their accessibility, clinical expertise and position at the heart of local communities.
Zoe Long said: “It was great to connect with the Shadow Health Team and with so many advocates for community pharmacy in Manchester this week. We considered how we can build on the success of Pharmacy First, which was introduced by the last Government, and what else the future holds for primary care. Support for community pharmacy remains high.
"And the message from the sector was clear: community pharmacy has much to offer as the NHS transitions and in support of the Ten-Year Health Plan, but only if pharmacies have the support they need.”
They also set out the support and investment needed to enable pharmacies to play a greater role in primary care.
The discussion explored the value of greater local flexibility in delivering community healthcare, alongside the case for investment now to unlock longer-term benefits and savings for the NHS.
The CPE had earlier held discussions with Labour and the Liberal Democrats, and Chief Executive Janet Morrison had met Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice MP.
