East Sussex
Local Pharmaceutical Committee
“To represent, support, develop and promote NHS Community Pharmacy in East
Sussex in the interest of contractors and service users.”
3 Broadmark Way, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 2EY
LPC Meeting 10th July 2014
Barnsgate Manor, Heron’s Ghyll, nr Uckfield, TN22 4DB
Draft Minutes
The meeting commenced at 9.35a.m.
Members present Paul Antenen(PA)Treasurer, Brent Auld(BA), Karen Daniels(KD), Sarah
Davis (SD), Nasim Ladak (NL), Dunja Kalinic(DK), Craig McEwan(CM) Chair, David Onuoha
(DO) , Kathryn Steele(KS),
Next Stepper and Time Keeper – David Onuoha
Officers present Vanessa Taylor(VT) PEO, Jan Thompson(JT) Secretary.
Guests Ian Hunter(IH), PSNC Regional Representative
Apologies Ramiz Bahnam, Bharat Chotai, Ian Wilkinson, Sheetal Patel, Sandy Jack, Claire
Condon
Declarations of Interest None declared.
Expectations and Objectives for the meeting
 EPSr2 Update from Brighton and Hastings and Rother
 LESs
 ONPOS feedback
 CDLin meeting feedback
 Brighton PNA update
 LPC Strategy- to build and understand
 Sub-committees – are they needed?
 Brighton’s SCR Pilot –update
 LPC Members’ Skills matrix – what next?
 Future structure of East Sussex LPC – replacement of Secretary in April 2015
 PSNC Update and LPC discussions
Minutes The minutes of the meeting on 15th May 2014 were considered and approved.
Matters arising It was agreed to leave this until the PEO’s report.
Next Steps
ONPOS scheme.
 VT had contacted Manish Suchak of Coldean Pharmacy. He said scheme was working
and late payment had been resolved. No further action required.
 KS said she still had problems with payment- though BACS transfer was requested, a
cheque was issued for the second month running despite e-mail correspondence with
CCA finance lead. Also problem with CCG formulary as re-imbursement for a specials
item was around 20p instead of £35- nowhere near the equivalent.
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KS to e-mail VT feedback on changes needed to CCG formulary
VT to confirm which pharmacies are involved with the ONPOS scheme

JT checked with East Sussex National Hotel and Golf Centre as a future LPC meeting
venue. Daily rates were £30 + VAT per person- more than those for Barnsgate Manor.
It was agreed to continue using Barnsgate Manor for LPC meetings in 2015.
 VT said the bid portal had changed its name from Supply2Health to Contracts Finder.
Succession Planning and future structure of LPC
CM gave background information about previous discussions with West Sussex and Surrey
LPCs concerning a merger. Though East Sussex LPC favoured the idea, the other two LPCs
were not so keen. PSNC are encouraging smaller LPCs to merge and are willing to help pave
the way and recently contacted the three chairs to discuss a ‘landscape of change’.
At a recent SE Forum meeting, CM discussed his idea of a more integrated Surrey-Sussex LPC
where initially a ‘business manager’ could be appointed to cover all three LPCs. This had been
prompted by JT’s decision to stand down as Secretary at the end of March 2014.
At the S.E Forum meeting, Mike King (PSNC) suggested the Surrey, West and East Sussex
Chairs together with other Chairs of LPCs who are thinking of merging, meet in London in July
with representatives from West Yorkshire LPC as they have recently gone through a merger. CM
hopes a plan can be formulated by end of August.
To discuss and develop job description for business manager at Exec meeting.
CM to circulate job description to LPC members
CM to take job description to Chairs meeting in London
LPC Strategy Review
As there was no time to review the LPC Strategy and Operating at the last LPC meeting, CM
and VT had reviewed them and suggested some amendments. LPC members split into 3 groups
and each reviewed one of the pillars of the strategy and operating plan (with suggested
amendments) and checked it against the PSNC self-evaluation criteria and then reported back.
Each group suggested some useful amendments and these were discussed. A major review of
sub-committees was highlighted and it was decided that there should be only three subcommittees in the future—Market Entry, Finance and Governance.
VT to re-word strategy as per discussions and to circulate to LPC members
LPC members to review and feedback on revised strategy and operating plan
LPC members to be allocated to speak to non-attendees at meeting about strategy and
operating plan.
Self-assessment
SD explained the committee had looked at the previous form for evaluating members’
competence and found it not fit for purpose and SD had developed a new form. In addition, the
PSNC skills audit form had been sent to members and discussion followed about whether to use
it instead as it was simpler to complete. KS suggested the CCA form was a better format.
SD and KS to review LPC skills questionnaire and send to CM
CM to circulate revised form to LPC members
LPC members to complete and return form to SD
Market Entry Applications
JT went through the recent applications and notifications listed in the Secretary’s report.
There were 2 pending applications needing a response from the LPC.
Application by Coldean Pharmacy Ltd for a combined change of ownership and no
significant change relocation from 10 Beatty Ave, Coldean, Brighton BN1 9ED to 16
Beatty Ave, Coldean, Brighton BN1 9ED
Application by Waremoss Ltd for a no significant relocation from 8 York Buildings,
Hastings TN34 1NN to 1 York Buildings, Hastings, TN34 1NN.
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The committee discussed both applications and decided the response to both should be to ask
the Area Team to approve them so long as it was satisfied that the relevant regulations were
fulfilled
CM asked about the progress of the Mid Downs Surgery application for dispensing premises in
their Chailey branch. JT said she had received copies of representations from interested parties
and explained she usually didn’t circulate these unless there was a point the LPC needed to
comment on. Discussion followed about the merits of sharing the representations. It was decided
to share them in future as the comments made by other interested parties with regards to
interpretation of the regulations could be useful.
JT to circulate representations from interested parties to Market Entry sub-committee
VT expressed her disappointment to learn from Mike King at the S.E Forum meeting that the
PSNC Market Entry Masterclass in September will be a repeat. CM and VT both felt an
opportunity had been missed where examples of actual applications, their interpretation and
replies could have been shared.
.
PNA Update
VT said the East Sussex PNA was signed off at the meeting she attended on July 9th. Surrey,
West Sussex and Brighton& Hove have used the East Sussex PNA as their template as it was
considered a good document.
In Brighton& Hove there was a poor response to the Community Pharmacy PNA questionnaire
which was sent out electronically. Some LPC members said they had not received it.
VT to check the PNA questionnaire was sent to all contractors
NHS England Area Team Liaison meeting
SD gave a report of the meeting with Mike Hedley(MH)attended by VT, CM and SD.
EPSr2 Rollout
In East Sussex, the remaining Hailsham surgeries will be the next release in October followed by
Eastbourne in early 2015.
In Brighton, Warndene surgery will go live at the end of October with more surgeries to follow.
With regard to Smart Cards, in Sussex and Brighton, it has been decided to use a number of
hubs. Those applying would need to present with appropriate ID and the Smart Card would be
posted to them with a password. It was suggested to MH that the Smart Card could be sent with
a password already linked and the card not locked, to help as smooth a process as possible.
On 18th July, Area Teams and CSUs are meeting and included in that meeting will be
confirmation that everyone who needs a Smart Card will be able to get one, including
technicians. Funding for this and nhs.net email addresses has been confirmed with Sarah
Creamer.
SLA still not finalised and the LPC discussed how it could help move things forward.
At the LPC meeting VT raised the subject of dispensing tokens and said Area Team bears the
responsibility of delivering them. MH to come up with a process. Discussion followed about
delivery to surgeries instead of pharmacies.
VT to challenge the delivery of dispensing tokens to surgeries rather than community
pharmacies-mixed evidence to support this.
Contract Issues
A new admin. assistant at Area Team is now collating opening hours, bank holiday info, etc.
Any changes should be sent to the generic area team email address.
It was noted that for any changes contractors wish to make for Christmas hours, that 90 days
notice will need to be given up to 25th September 2014.
JT to highlight in LPC newsletter deadline for 90 day notice for change of hours.
Flu Vaccinations
Evaluation from London can be interpreted negatively as there wasn’t an overall increase in
uptake from using pharmacy, so it has deterred a scheme involving community pharmacy being
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set up in Sussex. . LPC thought evaluation can be viewed in different ways as in Hackney,
where the scheme has been running for several years, uptake from pharmacies is good.
VT to write to Max Kammerling to request a formal decision on community pharmacy
inclusion in flu vaccination service.
Co-commissioning
11 CCGs have submitted expressions of interest in co-commissioning between CCGs and the
NHS. The only CCG not to submit was Crawley. NHS England will make the decision on what
goes forward with this and are working towards Oct ’14 for joint authority and April 2015 for full
delegated authority.
Health and Wellbeing Boards
MH was asked how links were between the H&W Boards and NHS England. Penny Ford,
Director of Operations at the NHS Area Team, attends most of the meetings. There seems to be
a lack of understanding of community pharmacy with more of a focus on social care.
MH and VT will do a joint presentation to the H&W Board on 29th July about the role of
pharmacy.
NHS111
NHS111 are experiencing an increase in call numbers on a Friday afternoon as some surgeries
close early. They do not have an increase in staffing levels to deal with this. Question over
whether correct processes are being followed by surgeries and also by the team managing GP
contracts as it was felt that pharmacies closing during contracted hours would get a breach
notice. Surgeries closing early would not support the focus on clearing prescriptions for the
weekend and thus a reduction in calls to NHS 111 / emergency supply requests.
The emergency supply of medicines by pharmacies suggested by NHS111 has been put on
hold. As the NHS111 funding is changing from block payment to itemised, there could be an
increase in requests. VT and CM are attending an Urgent Care Roadshow as it was felt
community pharmacy needed to be represented to flag up issues.
LPN Update
The first LPN meeting was held on 24th June and Sally Greensmith produced plans and ideas for
the future.
Telephone and Discharge MURs
NHS England do not encourage telephone MURs and MH reinforced the requirement for a
PREM2 to be completed on each occasion. For DMURs, the issue is getting a DBS check
completed. The Area Team fund the DBS check but sometimes there is not a quick enough turn
around to be able to get the DMUR completed in a timely manner for the benefit of the patient.
Once a DBS is set up, it needs an annual review and be completely renewed every 3 years.
PCSS
There is still not complete clarity on the changes that are happening. Market Entry may not
remain core for them and could revert to the Area Team.
Services commissioned by Local Authorities
VT said that the onerous training required for some local authority services could mean
community pharmacies lose interest. It was felt that recent EHC training was of poor quality with
confusing information. Also comments from members that CPPE training is disappointing and
not meeting needs-the focus is more on process than clinical information.
Members also discussed the amount of paperwork needed by LAs for recording and payment of
the public health services now that Sonar is no longer used by Local Authorities. Some
pharmacies are still recording on Sonar for their own use.
Suggest SONAR get involved in understanding of commissioned public health services
to explain what recording can be undertaken by using SONAR to support the reduction in
paperwork
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A Minor Ailments scheme is favoured and a pilot is being considered for Hastings and Rother.
The walk-in centre at Station Plaza is oversubscribed.
Chairs and Secretarys’ PSNC Conference Update
CM reviewed topics covered -- still no settlement, increasing role of CCGs, Category M reduced,
targeted MURs more focussed. Looked at the statutory role of the LPC and tried to identify their
other roles.
Proposed changes to the LPC constitution were discussed and an EGM will need to be held to
ratify the new constitution. The most important change was the replacement of PCTs by NHS
England and HWBs. Some amendments were requested by NHS England and others were for
clarification of election procedures, governance arrangements and levies.
The LPC Executive will be meeting to discuss the new document in more detail but CM felt the
LPC should be supportive.
JT to e-mail draft new constitution to members to review and comment on by July 23rd
PSNC have had more issues regarding the formation of LLPs which haven’t ‘taken off’ due to
funding requirements and are now looking at Companies Limited by Guarantee. It’s felt they
should be independent of LPCs though legal advice seems to differ.
In the new constitution, LPCs can support contractors through corporate vehicles.
PSNC Conference will be held in Leeds on October 15th and CM asked if anyone present would
like to attend. There were no volunteers.
VT to e-mail the suggested topics for discussion at PSNC Conference
Members to comment and respond on proposed topics by end of July
LPC AGM September 17th
JT said the venue, Uckfield Civic Centre was booked. Steve Doswell, East Sussex Police
Liaison Officer was asked to be the guest speaker. He has confirmed and the topic of his talk will
be ‘Controlled Drug Issues within the Pharmacy Arena-a police perspective’. The annual report
is being prepared and will be on the LPC website from mid-August so as to meet the LPC
constitution requirements of being available to contractors 30 days before the LPC AGM.
LPC Members’ Day November 27th
At the S.E Forum meeting, it was decided the day would be split into two parts.
The first part will focus on GPhC inspections and Head of Inspections at GPhC and Tim Snewin,
regional representative for GPhC will be invited. A presentation from NPA was suggested with
questions submitted in advance.
The second part will focus on Pharmacy Funding. Mike Dent and Harpreet Chana from PSNC
will be invited and Sally Greensmith to cover local funding.
EPIC update
KS gave feedback on recent EPIC meeting. Though still in planning stage the emphasis seems
to have moved away from community pharmacy involvement in a minor ailment scheme to
independent pharmacist prescribing and clinics. Discussion followed about which pharmacies
are involved.
SMS Update
Brighton & Hove are re-tendering the service and three bidders gave a short presentation to
community pharmacists.
CD Lin Update
JT attended a meeting in Horley on July 3rd. Police Liaison officers reported the variations over
the length of time that CDs, that have been dispensed incorrectly, are being stored and said a
clear procedure is needed. Problems over the new regulations concerning tramadol –validity of
scripts, large quantities dispensed, repeat prescribing were discussed. An out of hours contact
number for SMS is still outstanding. A procedure for dealing with breakages and spillage of large
quanitities of liquid CDs e.g methadone had been suggested at a previous meeting and a sub
group will meet to discuss further.
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AOB
LPC Newsletter
The committee agreed they were still happy with the format and the idea that an LPC member
write a monthly front page article. JT had asked Aaron Farbridge Brighton &Hove Controlled
Drugs Liaison officer to write an article for July as Ramiz was on holiday. It was suggested that
Sally Greensmith and Tony Proom be approached to write articles and that the newsletter be
discussed again in November.
PSNC
Ian Hunter(IH), PSNC Regional Representative suggested more of a two way dialogue for PSNC
involvement. CM thanked IH for his proactive approach and interest in attending the LPC
meetings.
Consider ongoing feedback at each LPC meeting for PSNC on what they should stop
doing, continue to do and what they should start/ do differently
LPC Website
VT expressed her frustration that there were still problems with the LPC website which needs
rebuilding again. A lot of material has been lost and needs re-entering. She asked the
committee’s approval for her son Toby to do the work. She said it would probably take around 40
hours at £15/hour. A vote was taken and the committee agreed to Toby undertaking the work.
The matter of a GP surgery sending patients to community pharmacies for blood pressure
readings was raised. Patients expected to be seen immediately and it had caused huge
pressure on the pharmacy. When contacted the surgery said they were short of nurses.
Send VT example of letter sent to patients advising them to go to their pharmacies for BP
checks.
Write to CCG board to highlight concern about above.
Expectations and Objectives were reviewed and it was agreed they had been met.
Next Steps were reviewed and agreed.
Meeting closed at 4.35p.m
Dates for future meetings
Thursday, 4th September, 13th November 2014 and 8th January, 12th March, 21st May, 9th July
And 10th September 2015.
AGM Wednesday, 17th September 2014, Uckfield Civic Centre
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