Lords Committee Hears From Professional Bodies And Regulators As Homecare Medicines Services Inquiry Continues

On Wednesday 21 June, the House of Lords Public Services Committee will hold two evidence sessions as it continues its inquiry into the services which deliver medical supplies and associated care to people in England.

The first session with representatives from professional bodies will explore issues including the funding and commissioning arrangements for homecare medicine services and standards and accountability of service providers.

The second session will examine how service providers are regulated, including whether there are any gaps in the regulatory regime; and how poor performance can be identified and addressed.

The sessions will start at 3.00pm and can be watched live or on demand at Parliament TV or in person in Committee Room 4, Palace of Westminster.

Giving evidence will be:
3.00pm
• Alison Davis, Chair, National Clinical Homecare Association;
• Richard Bateman, Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Home Expert Advisory Group; and
• Dr Rick Greville, Director, Distribution & Supply and ABPI Cymru Wales, Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry.

4.00pm
• Sarah Billington, Deputy Director of Medicines Optimisation, Care Quality Commission; and
• Representative from General Pharmaceutical Council.

Questions will include:

• What causes the problems that we have heard about with homecare medicines services? What data do you collect on the extent of those problems? What data do you publish?

• Which bodies commission services; where does the money come from; and how is that money routed?

• Who is responsible for ensuring that quality and safety standards are met? Who is accountable?

• Which regulator is responsible for which area of homecare medicines services? Where do your remits overlap? Where are there gaps?

• Where you identify a risk, how do you determine what action to take?