Change of Core Hours Approval
We have successfully represented a number of pharmacy contractors who were seeking to change or redistribute their 40 core opening hours. In the most recent case our client had core opening hours on a Saturday at their pharmacy and wanted to move these hours to times during Monday to Friday that they were already open as supplementary hours so they could close the pharmacy on Saturdays. Initially the ICB refused the application, but at appeal, Primary Care Appeals accepted our evidence that showed pharmaceutical services provision that would result from our client’s proposed hours “would maintain as necessary the existing level of service provision for the people in that area or other likely users of the pharmacy premises”.
There are a couple of different ways to apply for a change in core hours and any pharmacy wishing to do this must be clear about which route they are applying under. The additional (and biggest) problem with these applications is that Primary Care Appeals are interpreting the relevant Regulations in a manner that we feel is too narrow, but which they appear unwilling to reconsider. As a result, it is important to consider carefully whether an application has a real chance of success before submitting anything to the ICB. We can normally let you know fairly quickly (and without charge) if your proposed change has a realistic chance of success so you do not waste money on applications that are likely to fail.