Julian Smith MP has met with Samina Khan from Pateley Bridge Pharmacy who spoke to him about the pharmacy consultation the Government has carried out and how this will affect Pateley Bridge and other rural pharmacies.
The MP for Skipton and Ripon paid tribute to the important role community pharmacies play and gave his assurance that he would continue to represent all that they do to Ministers in the Government.
He also welcomed the Government’s plans to better integrate pharmacy services with primary care and public health which will help relieve pressure on GP services and will particularly benefit more rural areas.
The Government is considering introducing a pharmacy access scheme, which will provide more NHS funds to certain pharmacies based on factors such as location, and local needs.
Julian Smith commented: ‘Once the Government has concluded its consultation on the proposed changes to pharmacy funding and has announced how it will be supporting specific community pharmacies, if concerns are raised regarding any pharmacies in my constituency, I will be happy to make further representations.’
