Community Pharmacy Arden Annual Report 2025–2026

A year of partnership, neighbourhood health, and supporting our local communities

The past year has been one of major change and real progress for Community Pharmacy Arden. As the NHS shifts towards neighbourhood‑based care and more joined‑up working, pharmacies across Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire have continued to show why they remain one of the most trusted and accessible parts of the health system.

Strengthening our place in neighbourhood health

Neighbourhood Health is becoming one of the biggest changes to the NHS in a generation, and community pharmacy is right at the heart of it. With pharmacies mapped to neighbourhoods and PCNs, and new INT Ambassadors appointed across the region, the LPC has worked hard to ensure pharmacy has a strong voice in emerging local care models.

This work is already helping to build better relationships with GPs, local authorities, voluntary organisations and wider NHS teams — all with the aim of supporting people earlier, closer to home, and more proactively.

Supporting contractors through change

With ongoing financial pressures, ownership changes, and the delayed CPCF negotiations, the LPC has focused on supporting both new and existing contractors. This has included:

• Visits to pharmacies and practices
• Resources and training to support service delivery
• Strengthened social media and patient‑facing communications
• Work with ICB communications teams to promote pharmacy services
• Development of clearer support packages for new contractors

The LPC has also continued to represent contractors on contractual matters, market entry, PNAs, and local problem‑solving.

Service growth and performance

Despite challenges, pharmacies across the area delivered strong growth in key clinical services:

• New Medicines Service (NMS) claims more than doubled
• Pharmacy Contraception Service saw major increases, especially in continuation (+130.8%)
• Pharmacy First Clinical Pathways grew by 31%
• Hypertension Case‑Finding continued to expand, with ABPM up 46%
• Discharge Medicines Service (DMS) claims increased, with improved completion rates

A new dashboard developed by incoming CEO Conor Price has made service data easier to track, helping the LPC provide more targeted support to pharmacies.

2025/26 also saw the introduction of the Childhood Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Service, enabling pharmacies to vaccinate eligible 2‑ and 3‑year‑olds — improving access for families and supporting wider public health goals.

Governance, market entry and local services

The LPC’s governance framework has been regularly reviewed, with updated policies and strong oversight of finance, strategy and risk. Market entry activity increased significantly, with several new applications and change‑of‑ownership cases.

Local commissioned services — including palliative care stock holding, phlebotomy, stop smoking support and substance misuse services — continued to be delivered across the region, with ongoing work to ensure equitable access and annual payment reviews.

Financial overview

The LPC ended the year with a £13,894 surplus, holding reserves at around 50% of annual budget, providing stability during a period of organisational change. Key points included:

• £209,271 levy‑related reserves
• £293,105 total income
• £279,210 expenditure
• Continued use of NHS MOU funds to support training, resources and neighbourhood health work

Looking ahead, costs will rise due to CEO transition, recruitment of a Deputy CEO, and reduced availability of MOU funds — but contingency planning is in place.

Leadership changes

This year marks the retirement of Fiona Lowe, who has led the LPC for over a decade. Her contribution has been widely recognised, and she will continue in a part‑time capacity as Treasurer.

The LPC welcomes Conor Price as the new CEO — bringing strong local experience, data‑driven insight, and a fresh approach to neighbourhood health and primary care coordination.

Fiona stays on for a while in a limited capacity as professional advisor and treasurer.

Looking forward

The year ahead will bring more change, but also more opportunity. With stronger neighbourhood partnerships, improved data tools, and a renewed focus on prevention and personalised care, community pharmacy is well‑placed to play an even bigger role in supporting local people.

The LPC will continue to champion contractors, strengthen relationships across the system, and ensure community pharmacy remains a key partner in the future NHS operating model.

You can find the full version of our Annual Report here.