In towns and villages across Yeovil and South Somerset, pharmacies are doing far more than many people realise, writes Adam Dance MP.
When GP appointments are hard to come by, and waiting lists elsewhere continue to test people’s patience, pharmacists are increasingly stepping in by offering advice and treatment.
Yet despite this, pharmacies are operating under increasing strain.
Behind the counter, teams are juggling rising demand with limited resources.
Costs have risen.
Workloads have grown.
But the support they receive has not kept pace.
It is a gap that is becoming harder to ignore.
Last week, I had the opportunity to raise this issue in Parliament during a debate on community pharmacies.
In rural communities, especially, the local pharmacy is often one of the most accessible health services available.
If it disappears, the impact is immediate.
People travel further.
GP surgeries take on additional pressure.
Without ready access to vital medication, easily treated conditions risk becoming more serious.
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There is also a bigger opportunity at stake.
Pharmacies could take on an even greater role in the NHS if given the right support.
They are well placed to help manage minor conditions, support long-term health and take pressure off other parts of the system.
This is not a radical idea.
It is an efficient one.
But potential alone is not enough.
What is needed now is a clear commitment to sustainable funding and a proper plan for the future workforce.
Without that, we risk asking pharmacies to do more while giving them less.
This is a situation that cannot continue indefinitely.
We should be making it easier for people to access care close to home, not harder.
Community pharmacies are already proving they can be part of that solution.
The government now needs to act.
That means putting in place long-term funding that reflects the true cost of running a pharmacy, investing in the workforce and expanding the services pharmacies are able to provide.
Without that commitment, more pharmacies will close, and the pressure on the rest of the NHS will only grow.
Backing community pharmacies is not optional.
It is essential if we are serious about improving access to care and protecting the future of our health service.
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