Clause 32 - Applications for provision of pharmaceutical services
Health Bill
4:15 pm
Andrew Murrison (Shadow Minister, Health; Westbury, Conservative)
The hon. Member for Northavon makes a fair point. There does seem to be the potential for a lawyers’ beanfeast on the definition of “neighbourhood”. In determining the matter, PCTs may decide that two pharmacies are both in a neighbourhood, but one pharmacy might say, “We are in the next town, albeit one that is very close”. There is scope to be a little clearer about what is meant by “neighbourhood”. It might be simply defined as being in one PCT area. “Neighbourhood,” although it sounds very cosy, does not seem to be sufficiently clear to avoid giving lawyers a meal ticket.