The Labour Government promised to shift care from hospitals into the community, and community pharmacies will play a vital role in delivering patient services at convenient locations under this plan, as well as helping the Government’s wider objectives to build an NHS fit for the future.
Ms Campbell said that. under the previous Conservative Government, years of underfunding and neglect left the sector facing significant financial shortfalls, impacting community pharmacies on local high streets and patients in Broxtowe.
The package announced on March 31 is the first full-year funding package agreed by the sector since 2023, providing community pharmacies with an extra £617m over two years.
The investment comes alongside reforms to deliver a raft of patient benefits so that people can more easily access care and support on their high streets.
The reforms include.
- Ending the postcode lottery for women by making the ‘morning-after pill’ available free of charge at pharmacies on the NHS for the first time ever.
- Boosting mental health support in the community by offering patients suffering depression convenient support at pharmacies when they are prescribed anti-depressants.
- Giving patients easier access to consultations by cutting red tape and bureaucracy so that more of the pharmacy team able to deliver a wider number of services.
- Boosting funding for medicine supply so patients have better access to the medicines prescribed for them.
The Government says the reforms will not only improve access for patients, they will free up GP time and help cut waiting lists.
Ms Campbell said: "After years of neglect under the Conservatives, we saw the pressure and even closure facing community pharmacies across Broxtowe.
“This Labour Government promised they would shift the focus of care from hospital to community and, through this deal, that is exactly what they are delivering for high streets and patients in our community.”