Frequently Asked Questions

Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBs) are a type of statutory (legal) committee, where political, clinical, professional and community leaders from across the health and care system come together to improve the health and wellbeing of their local population and reduce health inequalities. 

HWBs are responsible for assessing the health and wellbeing needs of their local population and directly inform the development of joint commissioning arrangements. The Board’s duties include commissioning and endorsing Kent’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy (JHWS), and Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA). 

More information on Kent’s HWB can be found on KCC’s website.

The PNA will include information on: 

• Pharmaceutical service providers in Kent and the essential and advance NHS services they provide. For completeness, information about locally commissioned services is provided as they affect the need for NHS pharmaceutical services in the community, but they are not considered pharmaceutical services for the purpose of the PNA. (Sections 3 and 4, and Appendix A).
• Relevant maps relating to Kent and providers of pharmaceutical services in the area. (Sections 3 and 6.2) 
• Services in neighbouring Health and Wellbeing areas, such as Medway, that may affect the need for services in Kent. (Section 6.3, 6.4 and 7).
• A statement of need for pharmaceutical services across the 12 Kent districts. (Sections 6 and 7.1).
• Potential gaps, if any, in provision that could be met by providing more pharmacy services, or through opening more pharmacies, and likely future needs. (Section 7).

The PNA will not include information on:

• Non-NHS pharmaceutical services provided privately such as delivery and collection, travel clinics and sale of ‘over the counter’ medicines. 
• NHS hospital pharmaceutical services. However, information about hospital locations is provided as they affect need for NHS pharmaceutical services in the community, but they are not considered pharmaceutical services for the purpose of the PNA.

Before the PNA is finalised the Kent Health and Wellbeing Board is required to consult with statutory (legally required) bodies, including: 

• Healthwatch and any other patient, consumer or community group with an interest in the provision of pharmaceutical services. 
• Local Medical Committee, Local Pharmaceutical Committee, Local Pharmaceutical Service Providers, NHS England, local NHS Trusts and/or Foundation Trusts and neighbouring Health and Wellbeing Boards.

It has also chosen to consult with others with an interest in the provision of pharmaceutical services in the Kent area including residents.