What's that I hear? The sound of millions of pounds being taken away from vital public services and given to...well, you know the rest.
In just under a year's time, the DoH/government will be cutting funding to pharmacies across England. £170 million worth of money will be taken away. The Pharmacy sector is not the only one within the health service to experience funding cuts but it makes for very grim reading.
Thousands of pharamcies across England are predicted to face closure, leaving millions of patients without easy access to vital healthcare. The most vulnerable, including elderly patients dependent on delivery of medication, will be hardest hit by closures and there is no sign of what will be done to bridge the massive gaps in healthcare provision after October 2016.
There is no word on what will happen in Scotland, but the healthcare budget north of the border is a devolved matter and managed separately without Westminster input. From what I gather, the draft budget for the new year looks to stay the same. So, a victory for common sense. In Scotland, at least.
The most vulnerable, including elderly patients dependent on delivery of medication, will be hardest hit by closures and there is no sign of what will be done to bridge the massive gaps in healthcare provision after October 2016.
The other kick in the teeth is that supposedly pharmacy owners are not legally entitled to strike action, as they would be breaking their contractual obligations by closing their pharmacies. Being my usual mischievous self, I can't help but put in my own angle. Maybe all the pharmacy owners should close for a day, citing "unforeseen circumstances." Pharmacists working for the mutiples could all take a "sick day." I think the public and the government would get the idea.
In the meantime, check out this petition. Get your mum and dad, aunties, everyone you know to sign. It'll affect them too.
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