§ Mr. LansleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what measures he has taken in the context of the NHS contract with pharmacists to support security measures on their premises; [155583]
(2) how many pharmacists on contract to the NHS were victims of crime on their premises in 2003. [155584]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain's code of ethics and standards requires pharmacy premises to be safe for the public and staff working there. Currently, pharmacists can contact 1047W their local pharmaceutical committee, primary care trust or police to find out what additional support and advice is available locally on security measures that they can employ.
The Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS) was launched in April 2003 with a remit encompassing policy and operational responsibility for the management of security in the national health service. The remit can be defined as protecting people and property so that the highest standards of clinical care can be achieved. This includes tackling violence against staff and professionals working in the NHS.
From April 2004, all health bodies will be required to nominate a suitable person to perform the role of local security management specialists ( LSMS). These LSMS will be trained by the CFSMS, so that they can take the lead for security management work within the NHS, including primary care.
While security has not been raised in recent contractual discussions, the CFSMS will shortly be meeting the pharmaceutical services negotiating committee to discuss what support on security management the CFSMS and the LSMS can give to community pharmacies.
Information on the number of community pharmacists owning, or employed by companies, with NHS contracts who were victims of crime on their premises is not collected or held centrally.