Agenda item

“Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council recognises and values local pharmacies as a vital primary care health service and as an integral part of the fabric of local communities throughout our Borough.

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council notes that 79 pharmacies in the Borough offer a range of services such as dispensing prescriptions, disposal of unwanted medicines and supporting self-care:-

•      pharmacies play an important role in promoting wellbeing such as healthy eating, smoking cessation, exercise, flu vaccination, sexual health and more. We already work closely with them.

•      advice and support services are also available to care homes.

•      local pharmacies are recognising and evidencing their role in improving the health of their local population.

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council is greatly concerned about Government imposed threats to pharmacies as a result of cuts in the budget of £170m nationally to take effect from 1st December 2016.

The actual amount of the cuts may be less now, but being taken over a shorter time period so percentage-wise will have a greater impact – equivalent to around £25k/annum per pharmacy, and also announced is a further 7% cut next financial year on top of this.

Service cuts in pharmacies put more residents at risk as well as putting pressure on GPs and on hospital services and therefore increasing NHS costs. A fully funded community pharmacy service is cost effective and is in the interest of patients and carers.

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council agrees to write to the Secretary of State for Health, NHS England and Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group detailing our concerns and demanding an immediate reversal of these proposals.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1, a Motion was submitted by Councillor Rachael Blake and Seconded by Councillor Pat Haith:-

“Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council recognises and values local pharmacies as a vital primary care health service and as an integral part of the fabric of local communities throughout our Borough.

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council notes that 79 pharmacies in the Borough offer a range of services such as dispensing prescriptions, disposal of unwanted medicines and supporting self-care:-

•      Pharmacies play an important role in promoting wellbeing such as healthy eating, smoking cessation, exercise, flu vaccination, sexual health and more. We already work closely with them.

•      Advice and support services are also available to care homes.

•      Local pharmacies are recognising and evidencing their role in improving the health of their local population.

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council is greatly concerned about Government imposed threats to pharmacies as a result of cuts in the budget of £170m nationally to take effect from 1st December, 2016.

The actual amount of the cuts may be less now, but being taken over a shorter time period so percentage-wise will have a greater impact – equivalent to around £25k/annum per pharmacy, and also announced is a further 7% cut next financial year on top of this.

Service cuts in pharmacies put more residents at risk as well as putting pressure on GPs and on hospital services and therefore increasing NHS costs. A fully funded community pharmacy service is cost effective and is in the interest of patients and carers.

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council agrees to write to the Secretary of State for Health, NHS England and Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group, detailing our concerns and demanding an immediate reversal of these proposals.”

The Chair afforded all Members the opportunity to speak on the Motion.

A vote was taken which was declared as follows:-

For – 45

Against – 0

Abstain – 0

On being put to the Meeting, the Motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council recognises and values local pharmacies as a vital primary care health service and as an integral part of the fabric of local communities throughout our Borough.

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council notes that 79 pharmacies in the Borough offer a range of services such as dispensing prescriptions, disposal of unwanted medicines and supporting self-care:-

·         Pharmacies play an important role in promoting wellbeing such as healthy eating, smoking cessation, exercise, flu vaccination, sexual health and more. We already work closely with them.

·         Advice and support services are also available to care homes.

·         Local pharmacies are recognising and evidencing their role in improving the health of their local population.

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council is greatly concerned about Government imposed threats to pharmacies as a result of cuts in the budget of £170m nationally to take effect from 1st December, 2016.

The actual amount of the cuts may be less now, but being taken over a shorter time period so percentage-wise will have a greater impact – equivalent to around £25k/annum per pharmacy, and also announced is a further 7% cut next financial year on top of this.

Service cuts in pharmacies put more residents at risk as well as putting pressure on GPs and on hospital services and therefore increasing NHS costs. A fully funded community pharmacy service is cost effective and is in the interest of patients and carers.

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council agrees to write to the Secretary of State for Health, NHS England and Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group, detailing our concerns and demanding an immediate reversal of these proposals.