The Government has released its White Paper which outlines fundamental change for the NHS. The paper ‘Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS‘ details how power will be devolved from Whitehall to patients and professionals. The aim of the reforms are to allow professionals more time to focus on improving health outcomes, and to allow patients more choice in where they access services. Strategic Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts are to be phased out over the next few years and GP consortia will be established to take on commissioning supported by a new NHS Commissioning Board.
Further information on the changes and how this may affect community pharmacy can be found on the PSNC website.
