The LPC has been made aware of growing concerns and reports regarding some pharmacies re-nominating patients without their explicit consent. We have been informed of instances where patients, after visiting a non-regular pharmacy, later discovered they had been unknowingly nominated to that pharmacy. Such actions not only cause significant inconvenience and confusion but also directly violate the principles of explicit consent, thereby undermining the integrity of the nomination process.
The LPC would like to take this opportunity to remind all contractors of the essential principles governing patient nominations. Every pharmacy must adhere strictly to these protocols; any breach of these principles brought to the attention of the ICB will be reviewed and may result in an investigation. Key Principles of Patient Nomination: Explicit Consent Requirement:
The NHS England document "Nomination - What You Need to Know" clarifies that any change to a patient’s pharmacy nomination must be initiated by the patient themselves. Unsolicited changes are strictly prohibited. Under the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Service Covid-19 Vaccination specification pharmacy contractors are explicitly instructed not to use any service interaction as an opportunity to alter a patient’s existing nomination without clear consent. This specification states:
Patients wishing to complain about nomination issues have a couple of options. They can complain directly to the provider, alternatively, they can submit a complaint to the Northeast and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB); the relevant contact details are: Email: [email protected] Postal Address: The Complaints Department North East North Cumbria ICB Pemberton House Colima Avenue Sunderland SR5 3XB Please note: If a patient complains to the pharmacy, and is not satisfied with the response received, they cannot then complain to NENC ICB. The next step would be to contact the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO). The PHSO can review the complaint and may decide to undertake an independent review. The PHSO can be contacted by telephone on 0345 015 4033, on email [email protected] A poster has been produced as a resource; the message to patients is Your prescription: Your Choice.
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