Update: Government publishes further no deal guidance

21 Dec 2018

The Government has published Operational Guidance which sets out the local actions that providers and commissioners of health and adult social care services in England should take to prepare for EU Exit, including immediate actions to manage the risks of a ‘no deal’ EU Exit.

Key points for Community pharmacies:

  • Community pharmacies do not need to take any action themselves regarding the medicines or clinical consumables supply at this time.
  • When asked, pharmacists and their teams should reassure patients that plans are in place to maintain continuity of supply of medicines and medical devices.
  • Work is underway with representative bodies, however, community pharmacies are asked to consider the impact of possible disruption to the supply of non-clinical goods and services and to understand the risks to activity if there is disruption in supply.
  • Pharmacies are asked to ensure that staff are aware of the EU Settlement Scheme for health and care staff who are EU nationals and actively support them to apply. The scheme will then open fully in March 2019 and remain open until at least the end of 2020, so there will be plenty of time for EU staff to register.
  • Note that the current arrangements for reciprocal healthcare and for overseas visitors and migrant cost recovery will continue to operate until 29 March 2019. Any changes to charging policies will be communicated to contractors, following the outcome of negotiations relating to reciprocal healthcare.

You are able to read the full Operational Guidance here.