Plans for changes to the NHS give a new opportunity to now fully integrate pharmacy, says Numark's Harry McQuillan

The announcement by Prime Minister Keir Starmer that NHS England will be abolished is a landmark decision, one that signals a fundamental shift in how healthcare is governed and delivered.

By bringing the NHS 'back at the heart of Government where it belongs', the Prime Minister has made clear his intent to reform the system and remove layers of bureaucracy that have often stifled progress. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has pointed to Lord Darzi’s longstanding critique of the top-down approach as a key driver behind this decision.

It is crucial that we ensure community pharmacy is not once again left out of the conversation

While this move presents an opportunity for positive change, it is crucial that we ensure community pharmacy is not once again left out of the conversation.

Lord Darzi, in his report, was unequivocal about one of the NHS’s greatest strengths: its accessibility and reach through community pharmacy, particularly in serving the most deprived communities. Yet, despite pharmacy teams proving their worth time and again, NHS England has consistently overlooked the sector's potential. For years, community pharmacy has been battling underfunding, a lack of meaningful engagement from policymakers, and a reluctance to allow pharmacists and their teams to operate at the top of their competence.

One example of this is the 2024-2025 flu vaccination service specification, which failed to permit trained pharmacy technicians to administer vaccinations when no pharmacist was available. This bureaucratic inertia leads to unnecessary service delays and limits patient access to essential care. It’s a perfect illustration of NHSE’s reluctance to embrace innovation in pharmacy practice, a missed opportunity that directly impacts patient care.

One of Numark’s 12 principles for pharmacy practice is ensuring patient access to high-quality care, delivered by the right professional at the right time. For too long, NHS England has struggled to understand and harness the full capability of pharmacy teams in delivering this care.

Pharmacy should not be an afterthought in healthcare policy discussions, it should be front and centre.

The Prime Minister has promised that money saved from this restructuring will be reinvested in nurses, doctors, and GP appointments. Yet, again, there is no mention of community pharmacy. This omission is both frustrating and short-sighted. With millions of patient interactions every day, pharmacy is an essential healthcare provider that reduces the burden on GPs and hospitals alike. A truly patient-centric NHS reform must include a commitment to integrating and funding community pharmacy properly.

The move away from arm's-length bodies like NHS England could be positive, but only if it leads to meaningful engagement with frontline healthcare professionals. There is a dire need for evidence-based decision-making and collaborative partnerships. If the restructuring results in clearer governance, better funding allocation, and stronger engagement with the healthcare workforce, then it could be a significant step forward.

For too long, pharmacy has been overlooked, underfunded, and undervalued

For too long, pharmacy has been overlooked, underfunded, and undervalued. The abolition of NHS England is a pivotal moment to change that. Rather than replicating past mistakes under a new structure, the Government must seize this opportunity to fully integrate and invest in the sector that has proven time and again its ability to deliver.

With the necessary additional funding and a commitment to structural reform, community pharmacy can help build a more resilient, patient-focused NHS. Pharmacy must be recognised not just as a dispensing service, but as a key provider of clinical care, supporting patients in managing long-term conditions, delivering vaccinations, and offering professional prescribing services.

The abolition of NHS England cannot simply be a reshuffling of governance; it must be a genuine step towards an NHS that values and empowers every part of its workforce, including pharmacy

As we move forward, the Government must work closely with pharmacy leaders to shape a healthcare system that truly meets the needs of patients. The abolition of NHS England cannot simply be a reshuffling of governance; it must be a genuine step towards an NHS that values and empowers every part of its workforce, including pharmacy.

Let’s not waste this opportunity, it’s time to put community pharmacy where it belongs, right at the heart of primary care.