The LPC have spoken with director of public health and she has asked us to send the following letter to pharmacies.
As you will see in the letter below the director of public health and commissioning manager will be attending our next LPC meeting where we will seek further clarity. Should you have any queries about this issue please contact us.
I’m writing to clarify some issues and concerns that have been raised via the LPC following the letter from Public Health dated 3rd April 2014
Firstly can I apologise for any confusion and concern because the letter does not explain specifically that we are not moving away from elements of services we currently commission via pharmacies with regard to the programmes mentioned: Substance misuse, active intervention stop smoking and sexual health.
I would like to reassure Pharmacy providers that services that are currently contracted by Public Health Gateshead Council will be continued. However, should you wish to view the tender documents when they are published you may register by visiting the website www.neportal.org where instructions on how to register are given.
Carole Wood and Cath Scott will be available to answer questions at the next LPC meeting (Thursday 17th July) to clarify what this means for community pharmacy.
Catherine Scott
Joint Commissioning Manager
Public Health
Gateshead Council
Civic Centre
Regent Street
Gateshead
NE8 1HH
Tel: 0191 4332872
Email: [email protected]