By Rob Darracott

Pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock has expressed concern over pharmacy closures and reassured the community pharmacy sector that he understands that “sustainable funding solutions” are key to solving the current problems it faces and expanding the services offered.

In a video message played to the Sigma Conference at Heathrow on Sunday, Mr Kinnock (pictured), minister of state in the Department of Health and Social Care, said: “I am committed to making sure that we make better use of the skills of pharmacy teams and build on pharmacy premises at the heart of communities, especially in deprived areas. 

“We will build on Pharmacy First and will create an independent prescribing service where prescribing is an integral part of the service delivered by community pharmacies. I look forward to working with the pharmacy sector on this, not just how we can solve problems faced by the sector, but also how we can seize its opportunities.” 

Stressing that this won’t be easy, he added: “I am only too aware of the pressures faced by the sector. It concerns me that so many of our community pharmacies have exited the market over the past decade.

"I know we need to find sustainable funding solutions that match with our ambitions to reform and expand the services offered by community pharmacies. We are looking at this as a matter of urgency.

Mr Kinnock said that the Government is committed to shifting care “from hospitals to community, from analogue to digital, from sickness to prevention”.

He said: “I know that this sector is an innovative sector and has no upper ambition as to the role it can play in supporting the nation’s health. You have shown time and time again how you can deliver. Together we can make a difference and restore an integrated primary care service that we can all be proud of.

"I look forward to engaging further with the sector as we set out our 10-year plan to make our NHS fit for the future.”

That view was echoed by Labour backbencher Matt Tremaine, a long-standing councillor and now the MP for Watford, where Sigma is based, who opened the Conference. “I can promise you that the Government is determined to deliver, and especially so in health and care,” he said. 

“You will be keen to be assured that this Government is listening to what you have to say is undertaking consultations properly, and the concerns of community pharmacy are reaching those who need to hear them. We are here to listen. The Government is taking matters around community pharmacy seriously.”

The changing of the mood music in Government was reflected by Janet Morrison, chief executive, Community Pharmacy England, speaking immediately after Mr Kinnock’s message was played. She told the Conference.

“It feels like we have a fresh opportunity to change the dial and reset the relationship with community pharmacy with the right investment. I think you can tell from that message that he is serious, he is thoughtful and he is listening.”

Speaking of her first meeting with the new minister, where she and two CPE committee members highlighted the growing pressures on the sector, Ms Morrison said: “What he wanted to do is establish a relationship.

"He did want to be able to plan for the future, but first of all he just wanted to be able to listen. It was a productive conversation. He said he wanted to work together. 

“This is my fourth pharmacy minister in two and a half years, but I think this minister is likely to stick around a lot longer. And what was really distinctive was he said we must meet regularly, every two months. It felt like as productive and positive as it can be.”    

The air of positivity was echoed by Labour backbencher Matt Tremaine, the MP for Watford, where Sigma is based, who opened the Conference. “I can promise you that the Government is determined to deliver, and especially so in health and care,” he said.

Image: www.parliament.uk