Community Pharmacies: Devon and the South-west Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department of Health and Social Care
Clive Betts
Main Page: Clive Betts (Labour - Sheffield South East)Department Debates - View all Clive Betts's debates with the Department of Health and Social Care
(1 day, 13 hours ago)
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Adam Dance (Yeovil) (LD)
I congratulate you on securing this vital debate. In my constituency of Yeovil, pharmacies provide vital services, including more than 6,700 prescriptions per month—not quite as many as in your constituency, Rachel.
Adam Dance
Sorry, Mr Betts. Since the launch of the Pharmacy First service this year, it is estimated that pharmacies in Yeovil have saved at least 556 GP appointments. However, a lack of investment and the rise in national insurance contributions threaten the amazing work done by pharmacies in Yeovil and across the country. I understand from the response I received to a parliamentary question—
Mr Clive Betts (in the Chair)
Order. Interventions should be brief and to the point for hon. Members to respond to. They should not be another speech.
Adam Dance
Will my hon. Friend join me in urging the Minister to provide a clear timeline for the consultation to start?
Several hon. Members rose—
Mr Clive Betts (in the Chair)
Order. Given the number of Back Benchers who wish to speak, you will probably have to keep to less than five minutes each. Also, at some point we may have to suspend the sitting for 45 minutes to vote, so please do not speak unless you are prepared to come back when the debate resumes.
Several hon. Members rose—
Mr Clive Betts (in the Chair)
Order. I am going to have to squeeze speeches down to no more than four minutes.
Richard Foord
I think the hon. Gentleman has come up with an absolutely brilliant idea. Community hospitals are potentially hubs where pharmacies might sit in the future. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton and Minehead (Rachel Gilmour) for securing this debate; she has done a great thing by doing so.
Mr Clive Betts (in the Chair)
We now move on to the Front Benchers. The two Opposition spokespeople have no more than five minutes, and then the Minister will probably have about 10 minutes left.