WEST WORCESTERSHIRE MP Harriett Baldwin has offered her support for a popular Malvern pharmacy which is concerned about the impact of proposed changes to its subsidies under consideration by National Health Service management.
The Government is currently running a consultation on the way pharmacy services are delivered across the country and Harriett urged local people to make sure they get involved and have their say.
Many pharmacies are in clusters of three or more, meaning that two-fifths of pharmacies are within ten minutes’ walk of two or more other pharmacies. The consultation is seeking to investigate this configuration and ensure best coverage is offered to pharmacy customers based on local needs.
More than 400 residents have contacted Harriett supporting the Evans Pharmacy on Worcester Road, in Malvern Link and she has written both to the Health Minister, Alistair Burt and NHS chief executive Simon Stevens highlighting the excellence of Evans Pharmacy and its team of pharmacists.
Harriett commented: “I have met with Louise Vickers from Evans Pharmacy and some of her customers to discuss their concerns and I have agreed to pass on comments both to the Health Minister and the NHS CEO.
“Community pharmacy is a core part of NHS primary care and has an important contribution to make to our health and wellbeing with spending at £2.63 billion on the sector in 2016/17 compared with £2.5 billion in 2010/11.
“Evans Pharmacy in the Link is clearly an exceptional community resource and the staff seem to know each and every one of its customer by name and I am sure its customers’ voices will be heard loud and clear at NHS HQ."