Norfolk patient group warns many pharmacies will close without new funding deal
Collective action could see fewer independent pharmacies being open during the evening and at weekends
A group representing patients in Norfolk is warning that we will see the closure of many local pharmacies - unless a long-term funding settlement is soon decided with the Government.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has urged its 6,000 members to slash their opening hours from April 1st- as part of the first ever collective action taken by those in sector.
"Pharmacies have been underfunded for a number of years"
Alex Stewart is Chief Executive of Healthwatch Norfolk. He says this is a service that's vital for so many across the county:
"Pharmacists will frequently pick up on issues where people are not feeling well or if they have forgotten to turn up to collect their prescription.
"They can also alert General Practitioners, who can alert a general nurse to go out and check on somebody who they are worried about.
"Pharmacies have been underfunded for a number of years and the hike in National Insurance and minimum wage is having a massive impact on them.
"They both add significant costs to their overall running costs."
What could this mean?
The advice from the NPA might mean independent pharmacies serving notice on opening hours, leading to fewer being open during the evening and at weekends.
Free home deliveries couple also stop, with some services, such as providing emergency contraception and smoking cessation, withdrawn.
In November, about 3,300 independent community pharmacies took part in the unprecedented NPA ballot on collective action, meaning they can stop or reduce certain work as a way of collectively expressing concerns.
Of those who voted, 97.8% said they would serve notice on opening hours above the minimum required by their contract, meaning fewer will be open at evenings and weekends.
Pharmacies are contracted to open for 40 hours a week minimum, although most are open for 50 hours a week on average, the NPA claims.
"We have been left with little choice"
Nick Kaye, chairman of the NPA, said: "We are advising our members to reduce their pharmacy opening hours or take other steps to limit costs in the short term, in order to safeguard patient services for the long term.
"This is not a step anyone of us wants to take, but we have been left with little choice because in just two weeks' time new business costs will be hitting local NHS pharmacies across the country.
"It is better that we temporarily reduce access in the short term than to let pharmacies collapse altogether under the weight of unsustainable operating costs."
According to the NPA, pharmacies are yet to receive any confirmation of funding for the 2024/25 or the 2025/26 financial years.
The trade association is recommending its members reduce opening hours or services until a funding deal is struck to allow them to meet additional cost pressures.
From April, the sector is faced with extra unfunded costs, including the rise in employer national insurance rates and the national living wage, as announced in the October Budget.
Mr Kaye added: "Pharmacies have shut in record numbers and those that are left are hanging on by their fingernails waiting for the delivery of a financial settlement that protects services on which millions of people rely.
"We hope that an offer from the government emerges by April 1 to cover the additional costs which pharmacies will face and start to plug the huge gap in funding created by 10 years of real terms cuts.
"If pharmacies do not get adequate funding, then patients risk losing access to their local pharmacy altogether, threatening their access to vital medicines and health services."