Issue - meetings

The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Health and Wellbeing Board, and the Dorset Health and Wellbeing Board, are both required to publish a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) every three years. A new PNA has been developed as a single document covering both areas as agreed during transition and is scheduled for publication in October 2025.

The Steering Group reviewed current population needs, future population growth, and current pharmaceutical services. They concluded that, although there have been changes since the last PNA, these are unlikely to significantly affect access to, or the provision of, pharmaceutical services. Therefore, no gaps in pharmaceutical service provision have been identified.

The Steering Group now seeks approval from the Health and Wellbeing Board to proceed with publication of the new PNA.

A statutory consultation was carried out to support the development of the PNA. Consultation responses were considered, and where appropriate, amendments were made to the PNA (see Appendix 1).

The Director of Public Health, Specialist Registrar in Public Health and Senior Public Health Analyst presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Health and Wellbeing Board, and the Dorset Health and Wellbeing Board, were both required to publish a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) every three years. A new PNA had been developed as a single document covering both areas as agreed during transition and was scheduled for publication in October 2025.

The Steering Group reviewed current population needs, future population growth, and current pharmaceutical services. They concluded that, although there had been changes since the last PNA, these were unlikely to significantly affect access to, or the provision of, pharmaceutical services. Therefore, no gaps in pharmaceutical service provision had been identified.

The Steering Group now sought approval from the Health and Wellbeing Board to proceed with publication of the new PNA.

A statutory consultation was carried out to support the development of the PNA. Consultation responses were considered, and where appropriate, amendments were made to the PNA (see Appendix 1 to the report).

The Board discussed the report, including:

• Members reviewed the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) draft and acknowledged its comprehensive scope.
• The board noted the statutory requirement to publish the PNA every three years.
• It was highlighted that the PNA informed commissioning decisions and supported the provision of pharmaceutical services.
• The board discussed the engagement process, including consultation with stakeholders and the public.
• Members recognised the importance of aligning the PNA with local health priorities and population needs.
• The Board acknowledged the inclusion of data on access to pharmacies, opening hours, and service availability.
• It was confirmed that the draft PNA had undergone scrutiny and quality assurance processes.

RESOLVED that the Board:

·       Note the outcome of the consultation

• Approve the new Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment for publication by October 2025.

Voting: Nem. Con.