AQW 42718/11-15

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 23/02/2015
Answered On Date: 09/03/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether he has plans to extend a pilot scheme by his Department whereby extra funding was supplied for rural community pharmacies in Northern Ireland.

Answer:

The pilot scheme was established and evaluated by the HSC Board and provided funding to support patient access to pharmacy services in predominantly rural areas.

I have been advised by the Board that they have notified the pharmacies involved that the pilot has reached a conclusion and that the Board is now considering next steps in conjunction with Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI). The Board expects that there will now be a transitional phase and a move to a longer–term arrangement to support the delivery of pharmaceutical services in rural areas.