In a statement by Leader of the Labour Group for Rutland County Council Ramsey Ross, he discusses the additional pressure put on local pharmacies in the last two years, resulting in national issues with pharmacy closures. 

Councillor Ross said: "As many people will know, over the past two years the NHS has sought to improve access to primary care services, by utilising pharmacists to compliment other community health services. 

"The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has recently bought to light a critical issue impacting rural communities across England where, over the past decades, funding cuts have led to a significant reduction in pharmacy services, severely affecting access to essential healthcare." 

Councillor Ramsey Ross is the Leader of the Labour Group at Rutland County Council and represents Oakham North West (Photo: Rutland County Council)

In data collected by the NPA, the last four years has posed a real challenge for pharmacies, with nearly 800 closing their doors permanently. This can cause a real loss in the community, as many people, especially elderly and vulnerable people, rely on their community pharmacies to fill in the gaps that GPs are unable to fill. 

Furthermore, the NPA also found that the 40% reduction in funding is the primary cause of these closures and service reductions. 

This issue has been acknowledged by The Ministry of Health with Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Care, committing to work closely with community pharmacies to build a funding packing that reflects the vital support that pharmacies provide. 

Councillor Ross describes this support by Stephen Kinnock as "a welcome and long overdue change for the valued community service that our pharmacists provide." 

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READ MORE: Health leaders ask Rutland residents to share their opinion on plans to improve access to same-day healthcare services

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