Agenda item

Purpose: To provide an analysis of the impacts of the notified closures of the Lloyds pharmacies at the Sainsbury’s superstores in Calcot and Newbury and to advise the Health and Wellbeing Board on the implications for the West Berkshire Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment.

(Councillor Jo Stewart declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 11 by virtue of the fact that the Calcot Sainsbury’s superstore was in her ward. As her interest was personal and not prejudicial she was permitted to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

(Dr Heike Veldtman declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 11 by virtue of the fact that the Newbury Sainsbury’s superstore was in the catchment for her GP practice. As her interest was personal and not prejudicial she was permitted to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

April Peberdy (Interim Service Director – Communities and Wellbeing) presented the item on Pharmacy Closures (Agenda Item 11).

Although Thames Valley Pharmacy had indicated that there was spare capacity at other pharmacies, Members observed that there had been significant queues at local pharmacies in recent weeks. It was highlighted that pharmacies offered other essential services, which may be compromised if they were struggling to cope with demand for prescriptions.

Members observed that new development would further increase the pressure on pharmacies.

Concern was expressed that the closure of the pharmacy at the Newbury Sainsbury’s superstore would require some people to walk further to other pharmacies in the town centre and the quoted walking times were felt to be optimistic. Officers recognised that any closure would have an impact on residents, but the analysis had shown that a significant gap would not be created in Newbury. Officers confirmed that walking times were averages and used standard values

Members thanked the staff at the Lloyds pharmacy in Calcot who had suffered abuse from customers who were frustrated at having to queue. It was noted that there were two wards affected by this closure, including one of the more deprived wards in the District.

It was noted that while Sainsbury’s was easy to access by bus, patients may struggle to access other pharmacies in the area that were not as well served by local bus routes. Some customers had already started to make alternative plans, including switching to online pharmacies.

The importance of the role of pharmacies in primary care provision was highlighted. Concern was expressed that several pharmacies had closed in West Berkshire, which would affect patient access and would impact on remaining pharmacies. Concern was also expressed that West Berkshire had a lower ratio of pharmacies to resident population than the national average. Members asked what could be done to address the issue. Officers recognised these concerns, but indicated that decisions about pharmacies opening and closing in West Berkshire were up to providers.

Members suggested that the Local Pharmaceutical Committee and Health Scrutiny Committee may have a role to play in stimulating the market and investigating the causes of pharmacies closing. It was confirmed that Pharmacy Thames Valley had been consulted in relation to the planned closures.

Concern was expressed that parts of Calcot were amongst the most deprived in the country. However, it was confirmed these areas were only within the fourth decile of the index of multiple deprivation.

Members highlighted issues with the availability of medicines at local pharmacies and it was suggested that he problems were exacerbated by recent strikes. It was noted that many pharmacies operated a ‘just in time’ supply chain and only carried around two days of supplies It was suggested that online pharmacies were often easier to use and more reliable and would be part of the mix in future..

It was highlighted that Finland had reduced primary care consultations by over 20% by educating the public about self-care for common conditions, but this needed a strong pharmacy sector.

The Board noted that the government was keen to promote the role of pharmacies, but this was in conflict with the rationalisation process that was prevalent.

It was stressed that the ICB had a role to play in reassuring pharmacies that there would be the business flow and necessary margins to give them the confidence to invest.

Members highlighted an issue where older people who could no longer drive may struggle to access pharmacies and it was suggested that there needed to be a whole system strategy to tackle issues with the pharmacy sector.

It was suggested that the Board should write to Lloyds to express its concerns.

Action: April Peberdy to draft a letter in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman.

It was noted that pharmacies had a contract with the NHS and had to give at least three months’ notice of closures.

It was suggested that if other pharmacies were subsequently found not to be coping with the increased demand then the situation should be reviewed to determine whether a gap in provision should be declared for Newbury. It was stressed that any decision should take account of the impact of planned development and changing demographics.

It was noted that there would be implications for GPs as a result of the closures, since they needed to request the prescriptions. While online pharmacies were good for repeat prescriptions, it was acknowledged that there was a need for immediate access to medicines in some cases, which online pharmacies could not provide.

An analogy was made with banks where the government had put pressure on different providers to collaborate and maintain a physical presence within individual communities.

Concern was expressed about the impacts of future development in Newbury and whether there could be some form of qualification of the Board’s response to reflect this. It was confirmed that the analysis had not shown a gap in provision, but the situation would be kept under review. Also, the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment would be renewed every three years and new development would be considered as part of that process.

RESOLVED to:

(a)      note the receipt of the NHS notification of the termination of the contract and subsequent closure of the following pharmacies on 22 April 2023:

·        FEJ88 – Lloyds Pharmacy Ltd (in Sainsbury), Bath Road, Calcot, Reading, Berkshire, RG31 7SA

·        FVP85 – Lloyds Pharmacy Ltd (in Sainsbury), Hectors Way, Newbury. Berkshire RG14 5AB

(b)      note the assessed impacts of the closures;

(c)      agree that a supplementary statement be issued in relation to the closure of FEJ88;

(d)      agree that no action is needed in relation to the closure of FVP85;

(e)      write to Lloyd to express the Board’s concern at the closures.