Pharmacists 'struggling with pressure', meeting hears

Councillors were given an insight into working conditions facing pharmacists in County Durham

Pharmacists are struggling to cope as they work to ease pressure on GPs, councillors have heard.

A government scheme to give pharmacies more power and free up appointments is helping patients but adding to challenges in the industry, a County Durham pharmacist said.

At a county council meeting on Thursday, Geraint Morris said pharmacies in the area were facing increased workloads and battling to stay open.

The government has been approached for comment.

Mr Morris added a string of recent closures and changes in ownership represented "a measure of the crisis in the market".

Under the Pharmacy First scheme, people can obtain some prescription medication and oral contraception directly from a pharmacist.

Treatment for seven common conditions including earache, sore throat and urine infections can also be obtained without the need to see a GP.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the measures would help to free up millions of doctors' appointments over the next two years.

But they mean more work for pharmacists, with many going "beyond the call of duty" to make the scheme work, according to Mr Morris, from Community Pharmacy North East Central.

'Screaming out for access'

At a recent scrutiny committee, he said the service was rewarding for pharmacists and made for a better experience for patients.

But he said pharmacies needed more support to make sure it could work.

"We are doing 20 per cent more work for the same income as five years ago," he said, as he highlighted recent local pharmacy closures.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, six have been lost across County Durham in fewer than 18 months, while those that remain reportedly face an increased workload.

Mr Morris said communities are "screaming out for access", particularly in deprived locations.

"They’re used to there always being a pharmacy," he said.

"However, there isn’t now because they can’t maintain the viability in this current market."

Trimdon and Thornley ward councillor Lucy Hovvels said pressures had increased since the pandemic.

"We are not able to get a doctor's appointment, so we put pressure and burden on the pharmacists," the Labour and Co-operative representative said.

Appealing for council help, Mr Morris said: "We're asking for support to raise the issue with the government, so people can understand the precipice we're on right now."

Labour's Kevin Early said there was a need to lobby for more resources, adding: "We need to do everything we can to protect what we've got.

"Pharmacies are only going to have to do more and more."