Valerie shows support for community pharmacies

I support the ‘Save our Community Pharmacies’ campaign as Government figures shows that up to 3,000, a quarter of all pharmacies, could close.

In Walsall South, 8 out of 32 pharmacies are at risk of closure. I am alarmed that the Government are going ahead with cuts to community pharmacies which represent a 12% reduction on current funding levels for the rest of this financial year, and a 7.4% cut on current levels the year after.

I am concerned that the cuts put at risk the important services that pharmacies provide to local communities, particularly to the elderly, disabled and those with long term illnesses. Local pharmacies provide a great service to the community and have with its impressive track records of helping people quit smoking, a success rate of 90%.

These cuts are being forced through despite opposition from HM Opposition Labour Party, the pharmacy sector and communities. I voted in favour of the opposition day debate motion on Wednesday 2 November 2016 that the House notes that community pharmacies are valued assets that offer face-to-face healthcare advice which relieves pressure on other NHS services and called on the Government to rethink its changes to community pharmacy funding. Unfortunately, the motion was defeated by 305 Noes to 211 Ayes.

There is huge public support for our pharmacies as shown in the public petition which has become the largest ever on an issue of healthcare with 2.2 million signatures.

The Government needs to immediately reverse these cuts.