I have recently received a number of campaign cards and e-mails about pharmacy funding.
Given my time as Minister for Public Health, I understand the importance of local pharmacies, and think it is right that they are given a bigger role in NHS primary care. The ‘Five Year Forward View’ plan promises to update the NHS and provide a stronger health service which can relieve some of the pressure on GPs and A&Es, ensure better use of medicines, give better patient outcomes, and contribute to delivering seven-day services.
The Government’s Spending Review re-affirmed the need for the NHS to deliver £22 billion in efficiency savings by April 2021, which will be met with a £10 billion real terms increase in spending to improve lifesaving treatments and develop new drug programmes. This will ensure that the money put into the NHS is used as effectively as possible whilst maintaining the strong standards and excellent service offered by the NHS.
These changes will ensure the NHS is better able to reflect the expectations of patients and adapt to new developments in technology, including the use of online, click-and-collect or home delivery models to help patients get their prescriptions in a way that fits into their lifestyle. The Pharmacy Access Scheme, which the Government is currently consulting on, will also provide funding to help pharmacies tailor their services based on local needs and limitations.
I want to see community pharmacies continue to thrive. They are community assets and vital to providing the strong NHS that this Government believes in.