Good news for pharmacies
After years of growing pressure on pharmacies — and 46,000 lost pharmacy hours here in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough — we’re pleased to see £617 million in new funding announced today by the Department of Health and Social Care and Community Pharmacy England.
This new deal means:
- Free emergency contraception at all NHS pharmacies – no more postcode lottery.
- Continued investment in Pharmacy First, offering faster help for minor illnesses.
- More blood pressure checks and essential services.
- Greater flexibility for pharmacies to open when their communities need them most.
We’ve heard from so many of you about the real impact of reduced pharmacy hours – from long queues to medicine delays. This investment is a step in the right direction, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on how it rolls out locally.
We’re calling on our local NHS to:
- Talk to communities before changing pharmacy hours
- Clearly communicate any changes to avoid confusion
- Make sure people know about the services pharmacies now offer
Jess Slater, CEO at Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough:
“We welcome this much needed investment in pharmacy services, especially after the loss of over 46,000 pharmacy hours in our area in recent years. People have told us about long waits, closures, and difficulties accessing the care they need. This funding is a positive step, but it must be used wisely. Local communities need to be involved in decisions about pharmacy opening times, and clear communication is vital, so people aren’t left out in the cold.’’
Let's make sure this funding really works for our area.
