Community Pharmacy Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Cabinet Office
Monday 17th October 2016

(8 years, 1 month ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen Portrait Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

The noble Lord is absolutely right. That service will not be undermined and it is extremely important that it carries on—again, particularly in rural areas.

Viscount Hailsham Portrait Viscount Hailsham (Con)
- Hansard - -

My Lords, I echo the remarks made by my noble friend Lord Blencathra. Both of us represented rural constituencies: in my case for 31 years and in his case I think for nearly 30. The truth is that local pharmacies are terribly important in rural areas. I hope that my noble friend will have that in mind when the policies are addressed.

Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen Portrait Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My noble friend is absolutely right. As I mentioned earlier, that is the point of the pharmacy access scheme, which is intended in particular to ensure that the right number of rural pharmacies are available in those areas.