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

Pharmacies unable to dispense prescription due to supply shortages

Current legislation prevents pharmacists from making substitutions

Getty images

Medicine shortages: Pharmacies unable to dispense a prescription at least once a day

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has raised concerns over the growing crisis in medicine supply, warning that pharmacies are unable to dispense prescriptions at least once a day, posing a potential risk to patient health.

The organisation is calling on the government to reconsider allowing pharmacists to use their professional judgment to dispense a suitable alternative when the prescribed medication is unavailable.

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
PDA calls on GP practices to use funding boost to improve job security for pharmacists

Now, it is time to focus on the community pharmacy contract

gettyimages

PDA urges GP practices to ensure funding boost supports employed pharmacists

The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has called on GP practicesto ensure that all healthcare professionals they employ, including pharmacists, benefit from the 7.2% funding boost they received under a newly agreed contract.

GP employers are encouraged to improve “job security, pay and conditions” for employees with this increased funding.

Keep ReadingShow less
Fourth Shift: Investment in Innovative Medicines Crucial for NHS 10-Year Plan Success

Medicines should be viewed as an investment rather than a cost

gettyimages

ABPI wants to see a ‘fourth shift’ in NHS 10-Year Health Plan


The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has called on the government to increase investment in innovative medicines and vaccines, describing it as a crucial “fourth shift” necessary to ensure the NHS is fit for the future.

Keep ReadingShow less