NHS bosses urged to open more pharmacies

Bracknell Forest has the fourth lowest number of pharmacies per 100,000 people

A councillor has urged NHS bosses to open more pharmacies in a town after analysis showed it had one of the lowest numbers in the country.

Research by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) found Bracknell Forest in Berkshire had the fourth lowest number of pharmacies per 100,000 people.

Bracknell Forest councillor Sophie Forster submitted a question ahead of a full council meeting on 27 November, asking the council to encourage the Frimley Integrated Care Board (ICB) to ensure there were enough facilities in the borough.

A spokesperson for the ICB said the current service in Bracknell was in line with requirements.

"Like many health service providers across the country, pharmacies are operating in a challenging environment," they said.

"We will continue to do what we can to support them so that they can provide much-valued services to their communities."

The Pharmacy First scheme launched in January

Ms Forster said a 10% rise in the town's population since 2011 had been met with the closure of some pharmacies, while others had reduced their opening hours.

She said the role of pharmacies was growing under the government's Pharmacy First scheme.

Pharmacies voted last week to reduce hours and cut key services due to a "decade of underfunding".

Approximately 8,000 pharmacies who are members of the NPA will take part in the collective action next year.

'Pharmacy deserts'

The NPA figures found that neighbouring Wokingham ranked as having the second lowest provision of pharmacies in the country, while West Berkshire was found to have the least.

The NPA, which represents independent community pharmacies, warned that rural areas were becoming "pharmacy deserts".

The representative body warned people were having to travel further for vital medication and advice.

NPA chief executive Paul Rees said: "These shocking statistics show how a growing number of areas are at risk of becoming pharmacy deserts.

"Many pharmacies are on the brink because of a decade of real-term cuts, creating a material threat to the security of medicine supply in some areas if closures continue."