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Minutes
CHILDREN, FAMILIES, HEALTH & CARE SELECT
COMMITTEE
21 July 2026
Meeting held at Committee Room 6 - Civic Centre,
High Street, Uxbridge UB8 1UW
Committee Members Present:
Councillors Ekta Gohil (Chair), Jane Palmer (Vice-Chair), Hedson Farinha De Castro,
John Garner, Jan Sweeting (Opposition Lead) and Anil Taneja and Mr Tony Little (Co-
Optee)
Also Present:
Julian Lloyd, Chief Executive, Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow & Brent
Megan Redhouse, Services & Development Manager, Nucleus Legal Advice
LBH Officers Present:
Gary Collier (Health and Social Care Integration Manager), Sandra Taylor (Corporate
Director of Adult Social Care & Health) and Nikki O'Halloran (Democratic, Civic and
Ceremonial Manager)
15. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE (Agenda Item 1)
Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Sophie Dror.
16. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (Agenda Item 2)
Councillor Jane Palmer declared a non pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 5 –
Hillingdon Advice Partnership Update, as she had been the Cabinet Member involved
in letting the contract, and remained in the room during the consideration thereof.
17. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 23 JUNE 2026 (Agenda Item 3)
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 2026 be agreed as
a correct record.
18. EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC (Agenda Item 4)
RESOLVED: That all items of business be considered in public.
19. HILLINGDON ADVICE PARTNERSHIP UPDATE (Agenda Item 5)
Mr Gary Collier, the Council’s Health and Social Care Integration Manager, advised
that the former Health and Social Care Select Committee had undertaken a review of
adult social care early intervention and prevention (EIP) which had considered a
number of associated contracts. At one of the witness sessions, Members had
received testimony from Hillingdon Advice Partnership (HAP) which had been
commissioned to provide EIP and had been up and running for three weeks. Members
had requested an update on progress of the service in twelve months.
Public Document Pack
Mr Julian Lloyd advised that he was the Chief Executive at Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow
and Brent (the lead partner at HAP) which was also legally responsible for the
organisation. He noted that the Committee had changed since he had last attended a
Select Committee meeting and that new Members were now involved.
The report provided an overview of the service that had been commissioned by the
Council and case studies had been circulated separately to Members of the
Committee. Members noted that the majority of the case studies seemed to be in
relation to people that were in crisis and had not demonstrated early intervention or
prevention. They queried what had been done to identify residents in need at an early
stage. Mr Lloyd advised that HAP was open access and that the organisation had
been doing what it could to provide a service. A high number of referrals had come
through from community prescribers but the people being referred were often the type
that did not reach out until they had reached crisis which then took longer to resolve
their issues.
Mr Collier advised that HAP had been making every contact count. There had been an
increase in the number of people aware of the HAP service which then facilitated
referrals coming in.
HAP offered information, advice and guidance to residents aged 18+ to empower them
and support their resilience and moved away from the old model of delivery which had
tended to foster dependence. The organisation had been structured as a partnership
of organisations with complementary skills, with services being delivered by Age UK,
Bell Farm Christian Centre, Dash, the Council and Nucleus. Nucleus interacted with
people of working age about issues such as housing and debt (and also provided these
services in Kensington & Chelsea and Ealing), Bell Farm operated from West Drayton
and had forged relations with hard-to-reach communities, and Dash was able to help
adults with learning disabilities. The ambition was to deliver services in partnership
with the Council and build on relations locally. Consideration would need to be given to
the interface with primary care as there was often an overlap between health and social
care.
Mr Lloyd noted that HAP had been provided with indicative demand as part of the
tender process based on the previous provision but he was aware that the previous
provider had struggled to meet those volumes. There had been an increase in the
number of people being referred into the service over the course of the year. Over the
last nine months, 3,326 people had been supported across 4,418 cases with 16,000
repeat contacts. The age profile of these contacts continued to be biased towards
older residents (which was partly because of the Borough’s demographics) but ethnicity
had been fairly well reflected.
Members queried how long each contact took to resolve and how many could be
resolved on the first contact. Ms Megan Redhouse, Services and Development
Manager at Nucleus, advised that each case was very different but that the aim was to
resolve the majority of cases at first contact by providing clients with the information
that they needed to resolve their issues themselves. Referrals to case workers were
different in that they might be able to resolve the issues quickly but, depending on the
issue, it could take up to nine months or more (HAP would be in contact with the
resident throughout this period).
Ms Sandra Taylor, the Council’s Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and Health,
advised that, since the contract had started in June 2025, HAP had been making a real
difference, providing advice and information in relation to issues such as debt and
housing and reducing the costs to the Council by providing this early intervention in line
with the contract. The volume and complexity of the issues that arose had been
reflected across adult social care and the third sector. Ms Taylor noted that it would be
helpful for HAP to provide a little more substance and an explanation in relation to
some of the data and figures presented at the meeting (for example, slide four). It was
suggested that HAP be invited to attend a future meeting to talk to the Committee
about cost avoidance against a baseline and provide Members with some case studies
in relation to young service users.
Mr Lloyd noted that the Return On Investment calculations would not provide real time
savings to the Council. This information had been drawn from more detailed reports
that had been shared with the Council and had been based on the costs to the local
authority or NHS that had been avoided as a result of HAP’s work with residents. He
would be happy to provide more detail.
In terms of showing value for money, calculations had been made using national tools
and had been based on prevention. Ms Taylor advised that the cost avoidance figures
had been based on a national assumption of what it would have cost if the individual
had come to adult social care. It highlighted the difference that HAP’s contribution had
been making.
Members questioned the performance management framework included as Appendix 1
to the report and whether each of the specified outcomes had been achieved (or not).
Mr Lloyd advised that he would need to come back with this information.
Mr Lloyd advised that the team triaged the referrals and allocated them to case workers
to take forward. It was noted that someone with a physical disability would be most
likely to approach Dash in the first instance (rather than other partners within HAP) and
that specialisms would develop over time within each of the partners organisations.
Face to face contact was available but the highest volume of contacts took place on the
internet and telephone. With higher levels of demand and less resource, the offer of
face to face appointments tended to be given to those who needed them the most.
Outreach was offered in Hayes, Ruislip, Uxbridge and West Drayton. Whilst drop ins
were permitted, residents were encouraged to make an appointment. Consideration
also needed to be given to the possibility of trialling the colocation of HAP within
primary care practices.
Members welcomed the introduction of face to face appointments in Harefield and
Heathrow Villages and queried whether there would be any additional funding for this.
Mr Lloyd noted that HAP had been looking at the possibility of getting free use of
existing venues that were accessible whilst also providing private space for confidential
meetings. It was suggested that HAP liaise with the three churches in Harefield who
would be happy to work with them and that conversations should be undertaken with
the two churches and scout group in Heathrow Villages and that Heathrow Airport
should be approached for funding.
It had become apparent that a number of residents in Hillingdon would benefit from
digital training to enable them to support themselves. There had also been an increase
in the number of enquiries in relation to debt and housing across the age spectrum.
Over the next two years, HAP planned to do more to: help upskill residents so that they
were able to help themselves (with things like access to low cost devices and data);
improve automation and efficiency; and develop more effective hand offs to statutory
partners (for example, Hillingdon Health and Care Partners had been looking at the
introduction of passports).
With a funding ceiling and a 40% increase in service users, Members queried whether
HAP had been experiencing capacity issues and queried whether artificial intelligence
was being used to help absorb the increase in demand for services. Mr Lloyd advised
that it could be challenging at times and the team could sometimes be stretched but
that demand ebbed and flowed. HAP had managed to keep on top of the growing
demand for its services and continued to identify individuals that needed to be
prioritised. Quick Text and Copilot Enhanced had been introduced to transcribe and
produce notes from telephone conversations and face to face meetings (although
quicker that manually typing up notes, they still needed to be checked and validated).
However, further work was needed in relation to improving automation and streamlining
the single point of access. To this end options were being investigated to improve the
telephone system and thought was needed to improve the consistency of data capture.
Work had also been undertaken to leverage additional funding and grants and
discussions were underway to establish whether funding could be secured from the
NHS for support and advice.
Insofar as volunteers were concerned, Mr Lloyd advised that HAP wanted to build the
team to be able to cover the first point of contact. However, this had proved to be
difficult as many volunteers would get trained up and develop their skills before they
then quite quickly moving on to paid employment (the volunteers tended to be young
people and two young graduates had recently been appointed as Housing Officers).
HAP would need to develop its volunteer strategy to build around this trend.
Members queried whether there had been an increase in the number of queries related
to addictions. Ms Redhouse advised that drugs and alcohol were becoming a bigger
issue. There had been a number of residents in debt that had been referred to HAP
where the subject of addiction had been broached and additional support for that from
other services had been arranged. Mr Lloyd noted that someone with an addiction
would be treated in the same way as someone with mental health issues which meant
working more closely with statutory partners. It would be important to ensure that this
work was joined up with that of the ARCH service to recognise the issues and stop
these individuals from falling through the cracks. Consideration was also being given
to opening up Age UK to young people who were isolated and / or lonely.
Ms Redhouse advised that it was sometimes difficult to get responses for clients from
the Council. Mr Lloyd noted that the team had built relationships with Council staff but
that there was always going to be a churn of staff. To address this, HAP attended
team meetings and had a central point of contact in each team that they dealt with so
that issues could be escalated if needed.
HAP had been working with the Council to promote its services through Hillingdon
People and on the local authority’s website. Bell Farm, Dash and Citizens Advice
promoted the HAP service but effort would be needed to grow the HAP brand.
Surveys had been used to capture satisfaction with the service provided and positive
and a small amount of negative feedback had been received. It was not as high a
response rate as would have been liked and would benefit from follow up telephone
calls but this was not an attractive task for volunteers. The issues raised in negative
feedback had been resolved. Ms Redhouse confirmed that residents fairly regularly
dropped out of the system before their issues were resolved but that this information
was not recorded.
The Committee had been provided with a high level overview of the services provided
by HAP. Council officers held quarterly monitoring meetings with HAP to identify what
the service was doing and any response that was needed. Monthly meetings were
also held with the Crisis and Resilience Team.
RESOLVED: That:
1. Mr Julian Lloyd send a copy of the slides to the Democratic, Civic and
Ceremonial Manager for circulation to the Committee;
2. Mr Julian Lloyd provide the Committee with further information on whether
or not each of the outcomes specified within the performance
management framework in Appendix 1 of the report had been achieved;
and
3. the report and discussion be noted.
20. PHARMACIES & PHARMACY FIRST SCOPING REPORT (Agenda Item 6)
Consideration was given to the proposed amendments to the draft scoping report for
the review of pharmacies and Pharmacy First which had been circulated to Members
on 17 July 2026. The changes had been suggested to ensure that the aims of the
review would be achievable within the given timeframe and alongside the Committee’s
other responsibilities. It was suggested that the changes could be seen to water down
the aims and robustness of the review but it was agreed that the review needed to be
delivered within the proposed timescales.
Members requested that a map of the current pharmacies in Hillingdon be provided,
along with statistics on population and ward profiles so that pinch points could be
identified. Witnesses would need to be included from all over the Borough.
Healthwatch Hillingdon and service users would be invited to attend the first meeting
on 13 October 2026 (additional meeting) to establish their feelings on the Pharmacy
First initiative.
RESOLVED: That:
1. Members be provided with a map of the pharmacies in Hillingdon,
population statistic sand ward profiles; and
2. the Pharmacies and Pharmacy First scoping report, as amended and
attached to these minutes at Annex A, be agreed.
21. CABINET FORWARD PLAN MONTHLY MONITORING (Agenda Item 7)
Consideration was given to the Cabinet Forward Plan. It was noted that the Committee
did not have the capacity to be able to consider all of reports on the Forward Plan that
fell within its remit. As such, Members would need to provide a rationale for specific
reports that they would like the Committee to comment on so that this could then be
discussed.
On behalf of the Committee, the Chair thanked Councillor Denys and the Members of
the former Health and Social Care Select Committee for their work on the review of
Adult Social Care Early Intervention and Prevention, which would be considered by
Cabinet on 23 July 2026. If agreed, this Committee would receive an update on the
implementation of the recommendations in due course.
RESOLVED: That Cabinet Forward Plan be noted.
22. WORK PROGRAMME (Agenda Item 8)
The Democratic, Civic and Ceremonial Manager would aim to get information in
relation to the two possible minor review topics circulated to the Committee before its
next meeting on 22 September 2026 (a minor review could not be undertaken until the
major review witness sessions had been completed).
Members noted that the information in the youth offer report had been incomplete and
requested an information item on progress in clearing the backlog across the Borough.
It was agreed that officers be asked to provide Members with a briefing note to be
circulated outside of the meetings.
RESOLVED: That:
1. the Democratic, Civic and Ceremonial Manager circulate information on
the two possible minor review topics to Members by its next meeting;
2. officers be asked to provide a briefing note for Members on progress made
in clearing the backlog in relation to the youth offer; and
3. the Work Programme be agreed.
ANNEX A
The meeting, which commenced at 6.30 pm, closed at 7.51 pm.
These are the minutes of the above meeting. For more information on any of the
resolutions please contact Nikki O'Halloran on nohalloran@hillingdon.gov.uk.
Circulation of these minutes is to Councillors, officers, the press and members of the
public.
Children, Families, Health & Care Select Committee
Review Scoping Report – 2026/2027
A Review of Pharmacies and Pharmacy First in
Hillingdon
1. OBJECTIVES
Aim of the review
At its meeting on 23 June 2026, the Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee
elected to undertake a major review of pharmacies and the Pharmacy First service in
Hillingdon. This review aims to look at the services provided by pharmacies to alleviate the
pressure on primary care, including the Pharmacy First initiative, to understand the
contribution pharmacies make to the wider health and care system in Hillingdon and identify
opportunities to s trengthen partnership working and maximise the benefits of pharmacy
services for residents.
Terms of Reference
The following Terms of Reference are suggested for the review, subject to any changes
agreed by the Committee:
1. to gain a n understanding of the services currently provided by pharmacies in
Hillingdon;
2. to understand how pharmacy services are commissioned and by which organisations;
3. to review the current availability of support for pharmacies;
4. to establish what services have already been commi ssioned from pharmacies to
alleviate pressure on primary care and identify how successful th ese services have
been in achieving this objective;
5. to explore the possibility of pharmacies providing additional services to alleviate the
pressure on primary care; and
6. subject to the Committee’s findings, to draw conclusions, propose actions and make
service and policy recommendations to the decision-making Cabinet (which may then
refer formally to a relevant external body).
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Minute Annex A
2. BACKGROUND
Context and Key Information
Pharmacies (also known as chemists) are healthcare facilities where medicinal drugs are
prepared, dispensed and sold. These establishments serve as crucial points of access for
individuals seeking medications, health advice and various pharma ceutical services.
Managed by licensed pharmacists, pharmacies ensure the safe and effective use of
medication, adhering to regulatory standards and professional guidelines.
Healthcare commissioning is the process by which the health needs of a populatio n are
assessed, the responsibility is taken for ensuring that appropriate services are available to
meet these needs and the accountability for the associated health outcomes is established.
Since April 2013, a number of commissioners have had a role in commissioning services from
community pharmacies. The following general rules apply, but there are grey areas which
may result in local variation on which commissioner takes a lead in commissioning a service:
Local NHS England teams - commission all services in the NHS Community Pharmacy
Contractual Framework (CPCF), i.e. Essential, Advanced and Enhanced Services. Other
commissioners cannot commission these services from community pharmacies.
Enhanced Services are those pharmaceutical services that are listed in The
Pharmaceutical Services (Advanced and Enhanced Services) (England) Directions 2013.
Other commissioners may choose to commission some of these Enhanced Services from
community pharmacies, but they would be classed as locally commissioned services and
not Enhanced Services.
Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) - the services that the ICB commissions include planned
hospital care, rehabilitative care, urgent and emergency care (including out -of-hours and
accident and emergency services), most community health services, maternity services,
mental health and learning disability services. From community pharmacy, ICBs may wish
to commission services such as minor ailments services and palliative care schemes.
Local Authorities (LAs) - have responsibility for commissioning a wide range of services,
including most public health services and social care services. The following public health
services provided by community pharmacies would be commissioned by local authorities:
Supervised consumption;
Needle and syringe programme;
NHS Health Check;
EHC and contraceptive services;
Sexual health screening services;
Stop smoking;
Chlamydia testing and treatment;
Weight management; and
Alcohol screening and brief interventions.
LAs will use their own contracts or the standard public health contract to commission
services from community pharmacies. There are a small number of circumstances where
a public health service is commissioned by another organisation, e.g. NHS England
commissions vaccination services from GPs, community pharmacies and other providers.
There may also be circumstances where ICBs may wish to be involved in commissioning
a public health service, due to the impact the service may have on the development or
management of long-term conditions. This may involve co-commissioning a service, which
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is likely to happen on a more regular basis as a resu lt of the full introduction of the Better
Care Fund in 2015/16.
Community Pharmacy England believes that some public health services (which are widely
commissioned at a local level ) could be more effectively and efficiently commissioned
within the national Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF). However, the
Government’s localisation agenda and the current commissioning landscape, where NHS
England commissions the CPCF but LAs hold funds for public health services, means that
it is unlikely that such services could be commissioned via the national CPCF in the near
future.
Whilst the Council commissions a number of public health services delivered through
community pharmacies, Pharmacy First is a nationally commissioned NHS service. The
Council’s Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee will consider how local
partners can work together to maximise the benefits of the service for Hillingdon residents.
What Services are Provided at Pharmacies?
Pharmacies offer a wide range of services beyond the mere dispensing of medications. Key
services include:
Prescription Dispensing: Preparing and providing prescribed medications to patients.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Sales: Supplying non -prescription medications and health
products.
Health Advice and Consultations: Providing guidance on the safe use of medications,
managing minor ailments and preventive health measures.
Vaccinations: Administering immunisations for flu, COVID -19 and other preventable
diseases.
New Medicine Service (NMS) : providing support for people with specific l ong-term
conditions newly prescribed a medicine to help improve medicines adherence
Health Screenings: Offering services such as blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol
checks and diabetes screenings.
Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS):
o Providing initiation and on-going supply of oral contraceptives, and
o Free access to emergency contraception pills; and
Smoking Cessation Programmes: Supporting individuals in their efforts to quit smoking
through counselling and nicotine replacement therapies.
The cost of commissioning pharmacies can vary significantly based on the scope of services
provided, the geographical location and the contractual agreements in place. In the UK, the
NHS allocates a substantial budget to community pharmacies, covering dispensing fees,
service payments and additional reimbursements for specific health programmes . Precise
financial figures are often determined through detailed budget planning and negotiations
between healthcare authorities and pharmacy representatives.
What is the Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC)?
The local organisation for community pharmacy is the Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC)
– there are around 55 LPCs throughout England. The LPC is the focus for all community
pharmacists and community pharmacy owners and is an independent and representative
group. The LPC works locally with NHS England Area Teams, ICBs, local authorities and
other healthcare professionals to help plan healthcare services.
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The LPC negotiates and discusses pharmacy services with commissioners and is available
to give advice to community pharmacy contractors and ot hers wanting to know more about
local pharmacy. LPCs liaise closely with their medical equivalent the Local Medical
Committees (LMCs) so that GPs and pharmacists can work together to deliver services to
patients. LPCs also work closely with Local Dental Committees (LDCs) and Local Optical
Committees (LOCs).
What is a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment?
Pharmaceutical Needs Assessments (PNAs) have been in place for 20+ years and provide a
comprehensive evaluation process that determines the local needs for pharmaceutical
services within a specific area or population. It aims to ensure that the provision of these
services aligns with the healthcare needs of the community. PNAs are particularly crucial for
healthcare planners, policymakers and service providers as they help in the strategic planning
and development of pharmacy services, ensuring that resources are utili sed effectively and
efficiently.
One of the primary objectives of a PNA is to identify gaps in existing pharmaceutical services.
This involv es assessing the availability, accessibility and quality of current services and
determining whether they meet the population's needs. By highlighting these gaps, PNAs
provide a foundation for developing strategies to address unmet needs, improve service
delivery and enhance patient outcomes. It should be noted that a gap in existing
pharmaceutical services was identified some time ago in the Heathrow Villages as, although
geographically close, the pharmacies located in the airport terminals are not acces sible for
residents.
A PNA serves as an essential tool for healthcare commissioners and providers, guiding the
development and commissioning of new services or the modification of existing ones. It
ensures that decisions are evidence -based, taking into account the specific needs of the
population, demographic changes and emerging health trends. This targeted approach helps
in optimising resource allocation and improving the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery.
Hillingdon’s current PNA can be foun d at: https://pre.hillingdon.gov.uk/strategies-policies-
projects/needs-assessments.
How Do Pharmacies Alleviate Pressure On Primary Care And What Else Could Be Done
Pharmacies play a critical role in alleviating demand pressures on primary care by:
Managing Minor Ailments: Providing treatment and advice for minor health issues,
reducing the need for GP consultations.
Offering Preventive Services: Administering vaccinations and health screenings,
thereby preventing more serious health issues that would require GP intervention.
Medication Management: Conducting medication r eviews and ensuring proper
medication use, thus preventing complications that might necessitate a GP visit.
Health Education: Educating the public on health maintenance and disease
prevention, which helps reduce the incidence of illnesses that would burden GPs.
Pharmacy First
The Pharmacy First service builds on the NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service
which started in October 2019. The consultation service enabled patients to be referred into
community pharmacy for a minor illness or an urgent repeat medicine supply. The new
Pharmacy First service was launched on 31 January 2024 and adds to the existing
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consultation service. It enables community pharmacies to complete episodes of care for 7
common conditions following defined clinical pathways.
In May 2023, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care announced a
Delivery plan for recovering access to primary care. Part of the plan include enabling patients
to get certain prescription medications directly from a pharmacy, without a GP appointment.
It was anticipated that t his new service would free up GP appointments for patients who
needed them most and would give people quicker and more convenient access to safe and
high-quality healthcare. It include d the supply of appropriate medicines for 7 common
conditions including earache, sore throat, and urinary tract infections, aiming to address
health issues before they got worse. It is anticipated that this will also reduce the number of
residents presenting at Hillingdon Hospital ’s Accident and Emergency / Urgent Treatment
Centre when they could have been seen by the Pharmacy First service or a GP.
The Pharmacy First initiative was launched to make greater use of community pharmacists’
skills and opportunities to engage patients and ensure patients receive the right treatment at
the right time. As part of the initiative, pharmacists can help patients to manage the following
seven conditions where not complex across various age ranges (patients outside these age
ranges should consult their GP for treatment):
Earache: Ages 1 to 17 years
Impetigo: Ages 1 year and over
Infected insect bites: Ages 1 year and over
Shingles: Ages 18 years and over
Sinusitis: Ages 12 years and over
Sore throat: Ages 5 years and over
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women: Ages 16 to 64 years
Patients can access the Pharmacy First service by attending or contacting the pharmacy
directly without the need for referral (although they can also be referred by other organisations
including general practice, urgent and emergency care settings, and NHS 111 (online and via
telephone)). Pharmacies have private consultation rooms that can be used for consultations
with patients, and pharmacists can see patients for clinical services without always needing
an appointment. After a consultation with the pharmacist, the pharmacy will send a
notification to the patient’s GP on the same day or on the following working day.
Pharmacies have the potential to further reduce the demand pressure on GPs by expanding
their scope of services. Potential areas for enhancement include:
Chronic Disease Management: Taking on a greater role in managing chronic
conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma through regular monitoring and
patient education.
Advanced Clinical Services: Providing more advanced clinical services such as minor
injury treatment, thus diverting cases that do not require a GP's expertise.
Telehealth Services: Implementing telehealth consultations to offer advice and support
remotely, thereby increasing accessibility and convenience for patients.
Collaborative Care Models: Working closely with GPs and other healthcare
professionals to deliver integrated care plans that optimi se patient outcomes and
resource utilisation.
Patient Experience
Community pharmacies play an increasingly important ro le within the local health and care
system, providing accessible healthcare advice, medicines optimisation, and an expanding
range of clinical services closer to where residents live. For many people, pharmacies are
the most accessible point of contact wi th the NHS, often offering timely support without the
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need for an appointment. As the role of community pharmacy continues to evolve through
initiatives such as Pharmacy First, it is important that any review considers not only the
contribution pharmacies make to reducing pressure on general practice and urgent care
services, but also the experiences of the residents who rely on them. Understanding whether
residents are aware of the services available, know when it is appropriate to use Pharmacy
First instead of their GP and have confidence in the care provided will be essential to
assessing the effectiveness of the service.
Consideration needs to be given to potential barriers, including opening hours, transport,
digital exclusion, language, disability , consultation privacy and awareness of the services
offered by individual pharmacies. Previous resident feedback has highlighted issues relating
to communication between GP practices and pharmacies, repeat prescriptions, medicine
shortages, variations in commissioned services and a lack of clear information about which
pharmacies provide specific services. The review therefore presents an opportunity to
understand the local implementation and impact of Pharmacy First by examining service
activity, referral pathways and residents' experiences, rather than assuming its effectiveness.
Engaging with a broad range of stakeholders (including Pharmacy First users and non-users,
community pharmacists, GP practice representatives and voluntary and community
organisations) could provide a more comprehensive understanding of how pharmacy services
are experienced in practice and whether they are meeting the needs of all residents
consistently and equitably.
Executive Responsibilities
The portfolio Cabinet Member responsible is Councillor Susan O’Brien.
3. EVIDENCE & ENQUIRY
Potential witnesses (including service users)
Witnesses will be identified by the Committee in consultation with relevant officers and may
include:
Service users
Local Pharmaceutical Committee
Community Pharmacists
Voluntary Sector Organisations
West and North London Integrated Care Board
Sharon Stoltz, Director of Public Health, LBH
Dr Ritu Prasad, Chair of The Confederation Hillingdon CIC
Keith Spencer, Managing Director, Hillingdon Health and Care Partners
Samreen Nawshin, Healthwatch Hillingdon
Lines of Enquiry
Lines of enquiry can be expanded as the review progresses or included in relevant witness
session reports. However, lines of enquiry may include:
1. What community pharmacy services are currently commissioned in Hillingdon?
2. How do services provided by pharmacies in Hillingdon alleviate the pressure on
primary care?
3. Are the current pharmacy services being used as well as they could by residents? If
not, how could this be improved?
4. What additional services could be provided by pharmacies to alleviate pressure on
primary care?
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5. How is service quality and patient experience monitored across community pharmacy
services and how is learning used to support continuous improvement?
6. How aware are Hillingdon residents of Pharmacy First and other pharmacy services?
7. What is the service user experience in relation to the availability / accessibility of
services?
8. What prevents residents from using pharmacies as a first point of contact?
9. How is the scope of provision geographically located and does this meet the needs of
residents? Are there particular communities or areas of the Borough where pharmacy
access is weaker?
10. Are services available consistently across Hillingdon, including evenin gs and
weekends?
11. How are pharmacy-related complaints, concerns, and patient feedback captured and
acted on?
Surveys, site-visits or other fact-finding events
Such opportunities will be identified as the review progresses.
Future information that may be required
Further information may be identified as the review progresses.
4. REVIEW PLANNING & TIMETABLE
Proposed timeframe and milestones for the review:
Meeting
Date
Action Purpose / theme Witnesses /
officers attending
21 July
2026
Agree Scoping
Report
Information and analysis TBC
13 October
2026
Witness Session
1
Information and analysis Healthwatch
Hillingdon
Service Users
12
November
2026
Witness Session
2
Information and analysis TBC
12 January
2027
Witness Session
3
Information and analysis -
To discuss key findings and
identify potential
recommendations
TBC
Outside the committee – workshop / survey / networking session / consultation / informal
meeting with users, etc...
16 February
2027
Agree
recommendations
To agree recommendations
11 March
2027
Approval of draft
final report
To agree draft final report to
Cabinet
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Meeting
Date
Action Purpose / theme Witnesses /
officers attending
29 April
2027
Final report to be
presented to
Cabinet
Resource requirements
The review will be undertaken within existing resources.
Equalities impact
The 2010 Equality Act outlines the provisions of the Public Sector Equalities Duty which
requires Public Bodies to have due regard to the need to:
eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct
prohibited by the Equality Act 2010.
advance equality of opportunity between people from different groups.
foster good relations between people from different groups.
The broad purpose of this duty is to integrate considerations of equality into day business and
keep them under review in decision making, the design of policies and the delivery of services.
There are no equality impact issues relating to the matters set out in this report.
Background Papers / further reading
None.
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