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| Pharmacies prepare to cut opening hours in protest over contract | Pharmacies prepare to cut opening hours in protest over contract |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| About 6,000 community pharmacies in England are being advised to start working to rule in two weeks, unless an agreement can be reached with the government on a new NHS contract. | |
| The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) is urging its members to limit opening hours to 40 a week, as set out in the current contract, because they have yet to receive any confirmation of funding for this or next financial year. | The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) is urging its members to limit opening hours to 40 a week, as set out in the current contract, because they have yet to receive any confirmation of funding for this or next financial year. |
| They could also cut services such as delivering medicines to people's homes, addiction support and emergency contraception. | They could also cut services such as delivering medicines to people's homes, addiction support and emergency contraception. |
| The government said the move would cause "unnecessary disruption for patients" and a settlement with pharmacies was already being worked on. | The government said the move would cause "unnecessary disruption for patients" and a settlement with pharmacies was already being worked on. |
| Causing anxiety | Causing anxiety |
| A pharmacy's NHS contract accounts for about 90% of its revenue, on average. | A pharmacy's NHS contract accounts for about 90% of its revenue, on average. |
| And with increases in National Insurance, the National Living Wage and business rates, from 1 April, pharmacies say the lack of agreement over their contract is causing worry and uncertainty. | And with increases in National Insurance, the National Living Wage and business rates, from 1 April, pharmacies say the lack of agreement over their contract is causing worry and uncertainty. |
| This comes on top of a decade of cuts to funding, which has seen 30 pharmacies close since the start of this year, the NPA says. | This comes on top of a decade of cuts to funding, which has seen 30 pharmacies close since the start of this year, the NPA says. |
| Some 3,000 pharmacy owners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland voted in favour of action, in November. | Some 3,000 pharmacy owners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland voted in favour of action, in November. |
| Nick Kaye, who chairs the NPA, said pharmacies had been "left with little choice". | Nick Kaye, who chairs the NPA, said pharmacies had been "left with little choice". |
| "It is better that we temporarily reduce access in the short term than to let pharmacies collapse altogether under the weight of unsustainable operating costs," he said. | "It is better that we temporarily reduce access in the short term than to let pharmacies collapse altogether under the weight of unsustainable operating costs," he said. |
| There had been little feedback from ministers and the impact of the current uncertainty was "devastating" for pharmacies, Mr Kaye added. | There had been little feedback from ministers and the impact of the current uncertainty was "devastating" for pharmacies, Mr Kaye added. |
| "We want to get on with seeing patients, pay our staff, not have to think about closing, and invest in our business for the future." | "We want to get on with seeing patients, pay our staff, not have to think about closing, and invest in our business for the future." |
| 'Unnecessary disruption' | 'Unnecessary disruption' |
| The Department of Health and Social Care said pharmacies had a vital role to play as the NHS's focus shifted away from hospitals and into the community - and negotiations over a contract were making progress. | The Department of Health and Social Care said pharmacies had a vital role to play as the NHS's focus shifted away from hospitals and into the community - and negotiations over a contract were making progress. |
| "The National Pharmacy Association's pre-emptive action will cause unnecessary disruption for patients and we urge them to reconsider," an official said. | "The National Pharmacy Association's pre-emptive action will cause unnecessary disruption for patients and we urge them to reconsider," an official said. |
| Healthwatch England, which records the experiences and concerns of people who use health and social-care services, urged the government to conclude negotiations with pharmacies as soon as possible. | Healthwatch England, which records the experiences and concerns of people who use health and social-care services, urged the government to conclude negotiations with pharmacies as soon as possible. |
| Benedict Knox, from Healthwatch England, said many patients had seen their local pharmacy close or experience disruptions due to staff shortages. | Benedict Knox, from Healthwatch England, said many patients had seen their local pharmacy close or experience disruptions due to staff shortages. |
| "This issue especially impacts older people and is particularly acute in rural areas, where people often have to travel further to visit their pharmacist," he said. | "This issue especially impacts older people and is particularly acute in rural areas, where people often have to travel further to visit their pharmacist," he said. |
| But he stressed not every community pharmacy was an NPA member and it was up to each one to decide if they would reduce services. | But he stressed not every community pharmacy was an NPA member and it was up to each one to decide if they would reduce services. |
| There are about 10,500 pharmacies in England, according to Community Pharmacy England, which represents all pharmacy owners. | There are about 10,500 pharmacies in England, according to Community Pharmacy England, which represents all pharmacy owners. |