Sunday, 11 December 2016

Matson Pharmacy not closing despite concerns over NHS funding cuts

Matson Pharmacy has assured customers it is not under threat of closure despite facing NHS funding cuts.
But the Matson Avenue pharmacy has said it may have to reduce its opening times or delivery services if its application for extra cash is turned down.
Chemists across England face spending cuts after the Department of slashed £170million cut from its community pharmacy budget – a six per cent reduction in cash terms.

says the business is still committed to the community and would not close.
She said: "It's quite a difficult time for pharmacies with the government cuts which are being applied to us.
"At the moment it's not impacted on opening hours, however it may be something we may have to consider in the future.
"We're looking at ways in which we can save money and make ourselves more efficient. We will do our best to limit the impact of any decisions we have to make as a business."
Gloucestershire's Local Pharmaceutical Committee earlier this year identified Matson Pharmacy as one of two Gloucester chemist's which are under threat.
The other was the Co-Operative Pharmacy in Linden Road – which like Matson has been excluded from the Pharmacy Access Scheme – which was launch to protect access in areas where there are fewer chemists but with higher health needs.
Councillor Janet Lugg (L, Matson and Robinswood), has called on Gloucester City Council to write to the government to reverse the cuts.
Her motion said the 33 pharmacies in Gloucester offer a range of services such as dispensing prescriptions, disposal of unwanted medicines and supporting self-care, and also play an important role in promoting wellbeing such as healthy eating, smoking cessation, exercise, flu vaccination and sexual health.
She said: "There's people in Matson with small children who want advice on what to give them for a chesty cough. It's this technical stuff they would like to hear from a professional."
NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group's Accountable Officer, Mary Hutton said: "Community Pharmacies in Gloucestershire are playing a crucial and growing role in the treatment of a wide range of minor ailments, as well as the provision of public health services, especially through The Healthy Living Pharmacy programme. Local Community Pharmacies also fulfil a pivotal role in supporting self-care and offer a professional advice and signposting service to other NHS services as required. We recognise their importance and presence at the heart of the healthcare system."
The Department of Health says patient quality is at the centre of the proposals, which it calls a "pharmacy modernisation package."
The new measures, supported by NHS England, will include the first ever reward system for pharmacies that are providing a high quality service.
Health Minister David Mowat MP said earlier this year: "Far from jeopardising services, our modernisation package will make the most of these skills and transform how pharmacists and their teams operate in the community, ensuring the public receives the very best care in the places they need it, seven days a week."


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