THREE NATIONS ROUND-UP WALES
Common Ailment Service Worth its Weight in Gold
Wales Common Ailment Service has been rated excellent by 95% of patients according to a new survey.
The service, which has been running for 13 years, allows community pharmacies to provide free advice and medication for 28 common conditions and ailments including conjunctivitis, sore throats and thrush.
Latest figures show that 462,000 consultations were carried out under the service between 2024 and 2025.
The survey, which received 3,660 patient responses, also found that more than 98% of patients felt listened to and able to ask questions. It also showed that 98% of patients were satisfied with the advice the pharmacy provided on how to manage their symptoms.
The agreement includes an increase in the guaranteed minimum reimbursement level from £120 million to £130 million, alongside a 3.5% uplift to the Global Sum, equivalent to £8.5 million.
As part of the settlement, £10 million of funding will transfer from the Scottish Drug Tariff into the dispensing pool from October 2026, supporting demand across the network through existing remuneration arrangements and ensuring an equitable distribution of funding across the network.
The agreement also includes a joint commitment by CPS and the Scottish Government to examine the community pharmacy contractor cost base, helping to inform future funding discussions and negotiations.
Community Pharmacy Wales Pressure Survey 2026 - Pharmacies Under Strain.
The latest pressure survey of 154 pharmacy contractors and teams across Wales has highlighted a number of areas of concern.
Around two thirds of respondents said their financial position had worsened and a third said they had struggled to pay wholesaler bills. Almost half said they were not confident their pharmacy will remain viable in the next 12 months.
It’s not just financial sustainability which is a concern. The emotional wellbeing of staff was also another red flag, with a third of the respondents or their teams saying they had accessed mental health and wellbeing support due to workforce pressures.
Wales has lost 32 community pharmacies in the last six years.
Matt Barclay, Chief Executive of the CPS said: “While the agreement provides increased funding certainty and a fairer distribution of newly secured funding across the network, further investment will be needed to support the long-term sustainability and development of community pharmacy. We remain committed to working constructively with ministers and government officials to ensure future funding arrangements reflect the vital and growing contribution community pharmacy makes to patients, communities and the wider NHS.”
Health Boards Restructured
The Scottish Government has announced plans to replace the current 14 territorial health boards with two strategic health boards covering East Scotland and West Scotland.
Separate plans and arrangements are under review for island communities in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles.
The NHS reforms are aimed at removing duplication, variability, organisational boundaries and bureaucracy to ensure people across Scotland receive the best treatment and care, regardless of where they live.
The Scottish Government will now consult with stakeholders before developing further plans.
SCOTLAND
Scottish Funding Settlement Agreed
Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) has agreed a funding settlement with the Scottish Government for 2026/27.
Recruitment FREE Listing
• Advertise a basic listing with us for free on the Pharmacy in Focus Website for 4 weeks
£200 ENHANCED Listing
• Presence on the Pharmacy in Focus Website for 12 weeks
• Social media posts on a weekly basis via Pharmacy in Focus
• UCA-NI mail outs to database
• Enhanced advert to drive candidates to your role
£1000 A4 MAGAZINE Listing
• A4 colour advert in the Pharmacy in Focus Magazine designed by us
• PLUS enhanced listing £2400
UNLIMITED Year Pass • Enhanced listings
• As many adverts for as many roles as you wish
• 12 months of access • Changes to advert available • Adverts live until filled
pharmacyinfocus.co.uk 43
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
