Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

‘I care deeply about the future of our community pharmacies,’ says Rishi Sunak

‘I care deeply about the future of our community pharmacies,’ says Rishi Sunak

The UK prime minister also recognised the need to invest in health infrastructure across the country  

Responding to an MP’s question in the House of Commons, prime minister Rishi Sunak reiterated his deep concern for the future of UK community pharmacies, stressing their commitment to enhancing the sector with an additional £645 million in funding through the Pharmacy First initiative.


At the recent Prime Minister’s Questions last Wednesday, Angela Richardson, the Conservative MP for Guildford, raised the issue of rising pharmacy closures, revealing that Guildford recently lost two neighbouring pharmacies.

Highlighting that empowering local pharmacies is a key part of this government's plan to cut waiting lists, she asked Sunak whether he would agree that it is vital for residents to have access to “a good, efficient, and above all, local pharmacy.”

In response, Sunak said: “I care deeply about the future of our community pharmacies.”

“And she's now right about the important role that our local pharmacies can play. That's why we're backing them with £645 million of additional funding through Pharmacy First so that you can now go straight to your pharmacist, and receive treatment for seven of the most common ailments, saving you time and ensuring that patients get the care they need quicker and closer to home.”

Announcing a positive development, the Guildford MP informed the House of Commons that she has helped secure a new pharmacy in Burpham by collaborating closely with local pharmacists, concerned residents, the minister, and the ICB.

She asked the prime minister if he would join her in welcoming this new pharmacy.

Sunak responded that he was “very pleased” to hear about Richardson’s success in securing a new pharmacy for her constituents, noting its addition to the “10,500  others across the country.”

Navendu Mishra, Labour Party MP for Stockport, brought to the attention of Parliament major structural deficiencies at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, citing a report from The  Guardian.

He said: “Stepping Hill’s major out-patients building, the radiology department and the critical care unit have all been condemned.

“In March, I met with senior officials at Stockport NHS Trust and they were clear that a sustained lack of capital investment was the root cause of problems at my local hospital.”

He questioned the prime minister whether he thought “our hospitals quite literally crumbling is the price worth paying for 14 years of successive Conservative failure.”

In response, Sunak said that they fully recognise the need to invest in health infrastructure across the country, including at Stepping Hill Hospital.

“That is why we are currently spending around £4 billion a year for trusts to spend on necessary maintenance and repairs, on top of the £20 billion new hospital programme and the additional funding that was put aside to deal with RAAC—reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete——maintenance.”

Sunak suggested that Labour Party MP should look at his party’s record in Wales, where people are currently experiencing “the worst A&E performance and the longest wait times anywhere in Great Britain.”

More For You

NHS England to halve workforce to cut costs

“We are entering a period of critical transformation for our NHS," says Wes Streeting.

Getty Images

NHS England to halve workforce in biggest reshaping in over a decade

NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) are set for significant downsizing as they strengthen collaboration under the 10-Year Health Plan to build a future-fit health service.

As part of this transformation, the NHSE workforce is expected to be reduced by up to 50% to cut costs and eliminate duplication with DHSC officials.

Keep ReadingShow less
Discrimination: Asian and Black patients report lack of trust in primary care providers

Ethnic minority groups had worse experiences in their communication with their GP practice and felt taken less seriously

Getty Images

Survey reveals alarming rates of ethnic discrimination in NHS primary care

A recent survey by the NHS Race and Health Observatory has highlighted a worrying lack of trust in NHS primary care services among Black, Asian, and ethnic minority patients, who reported experiencing “racial or ethnic discrimination.”

Out of 2,680 survey respondents, only 55% reported trusting primary care providers to meet their health needs most or all of the time

Keep ReadingShow less
Swizzels’ Easter range, including Squashies Drumchick and Sweet Shop Favourite tubs

PDA members will get the chance to vote from this week

Pic credit: iStock

PDA to inform its members to vote “no” in Royal College of Pharmacy proposals

A vote to create a potential Royal College of Pharmacy needs to be called off as the current proposals would lead to “irreversible change to the identity and purpose” of the sector’s professional leadership body, according to the Pharmacy Defence Association (PDA).

From March 13th to March 24th, The Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s members will take part in a Special Resolution Vote (SRV) which seeks to amend the Society’s Royal Charter to facilitate its transition to a Royal College and registered charity.

Keep ReadingShow less
Walgreens Boots Alliance acquired by Sycamore in deal

Walgreens Boots Alliancehas entered into “a definitive agreement” to be acquired by Sycamore Partners

Gettyimages

Walgreens Boots Alliance acquired by Sycamore in £18.3 billion deal

Walgreens Boots Alliance(WBA) has entered into “a definitive agreement” to be acquired by Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm specializing in retail, consumer and distribution-related investments.

“The total value of the transaction represents up to $23.7 billion (£18.3 billion),” the company announced late last night (6).

Keep ReadingShow less
Professor Sir Stephen Powis at a press briefing

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, was appointed national medical director of NHS England in 2018

NHS

NHS England’s top doctor to step down following Amanda Pritchard’s resignation

Just a week after NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard announced her resignation, the organisation’s national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, has confirmed he will step down this summer after more than seven years in the role.

In a statement released on Thursday, Professor Powis revealed that he had informed Pritchard of his intention to leave in a letter back in January.

Keep ReadingShow less