By Neil Trainis

Portsmouth City Council will host a community pharmacy summit tomorrow with leading figures from the sector and wider NHS who will meet to discuss the challenges and opportunities for pharmacy teams in the area.

The Council said the event, which will also be attended by other “partners from across the city,” will examine the “complicated way pharmacies receive funding,” the expansion of services by NHS England, independent prescribing, the impact of Pharmacy First and how pharmacies can connect better with GP services.

It will also look at the safety of pharmacists at work and the role they play in supporting people with mental health needs. The summit, which will be supported by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, was called after concerns were raised by Portsmouth Health and Wellbeing Board about the closure of pharmacies in the city.

“Community pharmacists deliver healthcare services to thousands of Portsmouth residents, and together with our NHS partners, the Council is committed to supporting them to perform this really important role,” said Cllr Matthew Winnington.

“We are hosting the summit to better understand the challenges and the opportunities to work together and create a vision for community pharmacy in Portsmouth that benefits our residents and our pharmacies.”

Pictured: A shopping street in downtown Portsmouth (iStock)