A worrying rise in pharmacy closures across England is disproportionately affecting older people and rural communities, according to a new report by Healthwatch England.

Findings obtained through Freedom of Information (FoI) requests have exposed the scale of the issue, with over 436 permanent pharmacy closures recorded in 2023 and more than 13,800 temporary closures resulting in nearly 47,000 hours lost.

The report, published on Thursday, paints a bleak picture of access to vital healthcare services, particularly in rural areas where pharmacy closures have hit hardest. The report found that Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in rural areas recorded a higher level of temporary pharmacy closures compared to ICBs in predominantly urban areas.

Additionally, ICBs with a higher proportion of people over 60 years of age recorded a higher number of hours lost per pharmacy.

Healthwatch chief executive Louise Ansari expressed concern about the impact on elderly populations, noting that the closures were undermining the government’s flagship Pharmacy First programme, designed to relieve pressure on GP practices by allowing patients to seek care for common conditions at local pharmacies.

“This issue is having huge impacts on older people and is particularly acute in rural regions where people already have to travel further to visit their pharmacist,” Ansari said.

“Staff shortages, the key driver of permanent and temporary closures, call into doubt the potential of Pharmacy First, meaning people can’t get the advice, care and medications they need and when they need them.”

The research has provided the first geographical breakdown of pharmacy closures in England.

North East and North Cumbria ICB recorded the highest number of temporary closures, and hours lost, with 1,438 closures and 4,054 hours lost. When adjusting for the size of the ICB, Norfolk and Waveney ICB, reported the highest number of hours lost per pharmacy, 17.48 hours.

South East London ICB recorded the lowest number of temporary closures, 70, and North West London ICB the lowest number of hours lost (212).

Kent and Medway ICB had the highest average closure length, five hours and 38 minutes, per pharmacy.

The ICB with the lowest average closure length is North East London, with two hours and 22 minutes, per pharmacy.

Industry calls for urgent action

The report has drawn swift reactions from key industry bodies, calling for immediate investment in the pharmacy sector.

Tase Oputu, chair of the RPS England Board, urged the government to prioritise pharmacy funding and workforce planning to prevent further closures Read More…..