Pharmacists condemn ‘total chaos’ surrounding NHS reforms

The UK pharmacy sector has been thrown into "total chaos" following the radical revisions to the structure of the NHS introduced by the government this month, according to industry representatives.

Pharmacists have told Chemist and Druggist that many commissioners are confused over their new responsibilities under the Health and Social Care Act reforms, due to the complexities of dividing responsibilities between NHS England, clinical commissioning groups and local authorities.

Ash Soni, community pharmacist and clinical network lead at NHS Lambeth, noted that this fragmentation is creating widespread uncertainty, while Noel Wardle – partner at law firm Charles Russell – said many are confused about where responsibilities for different functions lie.

Such issues are causing delays in commissioning pharmacy services and processing contract applications, according to pharmacists.

Nick Hunter, local pharmaceutical committee secretary for Doncaster, Nottingham County and Nottingham City, said: "It's total chaos at the moment. There are still great big gaps in what's going to happen and where things will fit. It's just as chaotic as two or three weeks ago."

The core reforms of the Health and Social Care act took effect on April 1st 2013 and remain a subject of considerable political controversy.