Newnham Ward Cllr John Mingay has expressed his concern after it was announced yesterday that pharmacies in England will see their budgets reduced over the next 2 years.
Following a consultation, the Department for Health has approved a decrease of the £2.8bn budget for pharmacies by £113m between December and March and by a further £95m in 2017/18.
Following the announcement, Cllr Mingay said:
‘While all aspects of the NHS should be expected to achieve further efficiencies, I feel that simply closing pharmacies in the short term, which the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee claims will be the outcome of the funding reduction, is not the correct approach if we are serious about integrating health and social care. Closures and reduced opening hours could have an adverse effect in particular on elderly people and rural residents who may see their access to pharmacies restricted.
‘Pharmacies can play a key role in diverting patients away from hospitals and GP surgeries, which will be essential in the coming years if we are simultaneously to realise efficiencies and improve outcomes for patients.
‘I would like to see, therefore, a proper debate around the role pharmacies will play in the future of our health service in the context of the challenges posed of increased demand and an ageing population. I would hope this can take place within the forum of the ongoing Sustainability and Transformation Plans which are taking place across England and locally in Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes.’