Pharmacy First

Debate between Andrea Leadsom and Helen Morgan

Wednesday 31st January 2024 Commons Chamber

[Dame Andrea Leadsom]

I would be very happy to meet my right hon. Friend.

[Helen Morgan (North Shropshire) (LD)]

The community pharmacy in Wem in my constituency has struggled to find a full-time pharmacist, relying instead on locums. That means that opening times are erratic, people cannot rely on the service, and the pharmacy is loss-making because locums are so expensive. How will the Minister help pharmacies in rural areas to recruit the full-time pharmacists and reduce their reliance on locums?

[Dame Andrea Leadsom]

The hon. Lady will be aware that, although a few are owned by GP practices, community pharmacies are usually private businesses. We are training the registered community pharmacists that we need. Obviously, it would be for that local area to put in place its own recruitment policies, but I would be happy to meet her to discuss that further.