There was a lot of talk at the Pharmacy Show about the dire need for unity.
At this time of crisis for community pharmacy, when so many contractors are clinging on by their fingertips, everyone wants to see unity across the community pharmacy bodies.
For, we all know the old saying: united we stand, divided we fall.
There are so many community pharmacy bodies that we all need to make a conscious effort to work together in the spirit of collaboration – otherwise we will appear to others as somewhat fractured.
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When I was invited to attend the recent reception held by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, to mark the launch of the NHS 10-year-plan consultation, at the Science Museum, in London, one distinguished guest, who is a leader in primary care, said to me: ‘Remind me who you work for? There are so many pharmacy bodies I lose track.’
Given that the very number of sector organisations alone can often be seen as a problem, it’s vital we all work doubly hard to sing from the same hymn sheet.
At the NPA, we believe in partnership. We believe in collaboration. And we’ll work with any representative organisation that is up for working together.
That is why when we took the Save Our Pharmacies petition to Number 10 Downing Street last month we went with representatives from CPE, the CCA and CPNI.
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As well as having great working relationships with all those organisations, we also have excellent working relationships with the CPS, CPW, the RPS and the PDA.
Not only do we work closely with all these organisations, they all have effective working relationships with each other.
We know organisations have different approaches, and that’s absolutely fine because we are all seeking the same outcome – a better future for community pharmacy.
We don’t need to be uniform, but we do need to be united.
The Save Our Pharmacies campaign has had great support from so many different organisations and contractors – both NPA members and non-NPA members – and we are grateful to everyone for their support.
At this time of unprecedented crisis, there is another issue, as well as unity, that is critical.
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And that is the urgent need to send a strong message to government about the desperate situation so many pharmacy owners find themselves in, due to a decade of real terms of funding cuts.
We believe the best vehicle to express this view is through the NPA ballot on withdrawing some services.
If members chose to withdraw or reduce services – such as stopping free deliveries or reducing to core hours respectively – it will help save them money and make their businesses more sustainable.
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If you’re an NPA member, there are six good reasons to take part in our poll.
• A strong turnout and a strong yes vote will send a powerful message to government
• This is an advisory vote. Voting yes does not tie you into taking action
• If the ballot recommends withdrawing some services you can decide whether your pharmacy or pharmacies take action, for how long or not at all
• Actions in the ballot are there to help you reduce costs and secure the sustainability of your business
• We have taken legal advice so you won’t breach your contract or pharmacy regulations
• Large multiples have taken many of these actions already.
Time is running out to have your say, as the ballot closes on Friday 8 November.
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So, please make sure you vote and let the government know what action you are prepared to take – at least in principle – to keep your pharmacy or pharmacies going.
Meanwhile, going back to the urgent need for collaboration, unity and partnership, we would love – like so many others – to work closer with the IPA.
And, as I stated at the Pharmacy Show, my invitation to their leadership is this: name a time and a place for a joint meeting, and we will be right there – ready to roll up our sleeves and work as closely with you as we do with everyone else.
Paul Rees is CEO of the National Pharmacy Association