Pharmacy closures in England
Earlier this year, Healthwatch England submitted a Freedom of Information request to Integrated Care Boards asking them about permanent and temporary pharmacy closures, following concerns raised by the public and local Healthwatch.
Key findings include:
- 436 pharmacies closed permanently in England. This amounts to more than eight pharmacies closing every week.
- 13,863 instances of temporary closure were recorded. 46,823 hours were lost to temporary closure, the equivalent of 5,852 standard pharmacy working days.
- The main reason for temporary pharmacy closures across England is a lack of available staff.
- Higher rates of both permanent and temporary closure were recorded in areas that were rural, had older populations, and had fewer GPs per head.
The Coventry picture
Seven community pharmacies have closed recently in Coventry others have merged and many have reduced their opening hours.
At the Healthwatch Steering Group we heard from the local Pharmaceutical Committee about the pressures in pharmacy services.
New pharmacy services have been launched through Pharmacy First with the aim of giving route for help with seven conditions through pharmacy rather than via a GP.
Share your experiences of Community pharmacy
Reduced pharmacy availability comes at a time when new Pharmacy First services should be accessible to local people.
Recommendations from Healthwatch England
- Cross-system work to ensure patients are better notified of pharmacy closures and that pharmacy teams have enacted improved contingency plans.
- A national evaluation to consider issues facing pharmacy, including workforce, funding, data, and estates.
See the map of pharmacy closures
