South West pharmacists warn of closures without support

Pharmacists have called on the UK government to offer more help in order to keep more open in the South West.

A new scheme called Pharmacy First was launched on Wednesday, which will allow pharmacists to provide treatment for certain conditions without the need of a GP appointment.

However, pharmacists said increased costs and other financial issues were putting pressure on the industry.

Some have warned without support, pharmacists could be forced to close.

Faisel Baig, who runs St Mawes Pharmacy, nearly had to close until a last minute renegotiation with the NHS.

With the next nearest pharmacy a 40-mile round trip away, he said having one locally is crucial for residents.

Mr Baig said: "They've already lost their banks, they've lost the butcher, they've lost their hairdresser, they've almost lost the post office but they managed to save that and they're really glad to have saved their pharmacy as well."

Plymouth-based pharmacist Sian Retallick said while the scheme might help going forwards, there remained a "huge challenge" in the supply of medicine and pharmacy closures.

Nicky Slight, a pharmacist in Plymstock, said her team might be the only people some of their customers speak to in a day.

She added many are "very dependant" on its delivery service and being open was "massively important in terms of patient choice as well for their healthcare".

Drew Creek, from Community Pharmacy Cornwall, said problems being faced by the healthcare industry were not going away "any time soon".

He said: "We need to pay them and make sure they can afford to keep their business open."

Phil Trevail, a GP partner at Cornwall's Carn to Coast Health Centres, said he hoped the project would free up space for appointments.

But he added there is "chronic underfunding" in general practice and communities pharmacies.

"We've got pharmacies local to us closing because there is inadequate funding," Mr Trevail said.

"The hope is this will help, of course, but it remains to be seen how successful the scheme is."

Meanwhile, Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust chief executive Steve Williamson said it could be an important method for patients to get the best healthcare for their needs.

The Department for Health and Social Care has been contacted for comment.

Follow BBC Cornwall on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].