Healthwatch Suffolk says pharmacy closures are worrying

Healthwatch England sent various Freedom of Information requests across the country to see how many pharmacy closures were recorded in 2023. 

Its data shows that there have been seven permanent closures and 184 temporary closures, equating to 879 hours, in the area covered by the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB).

READ MORE: Suffolk loses seven pharmacies in two years data shows

One Suffolk-based health leader said that this number was worrying but not surprising given the pressures on pharmacies and the medical industry at large.

Andy Yacoub said that this data was worrying but not surprising. (Image: Gregg Brown) Chief executive of Healthwatch Suffolk Andy Yacoub said: “These findings from Healthwatch England paint a stark picture of the challenges faced within pharmacy care, both locally here in Suffolk and nationally.

“This is not surprising.

"Though people do share positive experiences of using their local pharmacy, others tell us they are finding it more difficult to access the medication they need, are forced to deal with increasing delays in receiving their orders, and - in some instances - rely on travelling to multiple pharmacies to adequately maintain their supply of medication."

The Suffolk and North East Essex ICB lost 879 working hours in 2023 due to pharmacy closures. (Image: James Manning/PA Wire)

He added that the wider health and social care system can help manage public expectations by correctly advising people on what services they can access through their local pharmacy.

The data also suggests that rural ICBs record a higher level of temporary pharmacy closures compared to those in urban areas.

It also hinted that ICBs with people over 60 years of age recorded a higher number of hours lost per pharmacy.

Tony Dean said this reflects the issues faced by pharmacies. (Image: Community Pharmacy)

Tony Dean, joint chief officer for Community Pharmacy Norfolk & Suffolk, said the data reflects the "crippling funding cuts and workforce crisis our sector is experiencing". 

“The list of areas most affected by temporary closures is effectively a list of those most rural," he added.  

“Pharmacies have been the cornerstone of our villages and high streets for decades, but the numbers of permanent closures, reduced opening hours and temporary closures will, unfortunately, continue until there is a significant improvement in the core national contract that underpins over 90% of a typical pharmacy’s turnover."

Several LloydsPharmacy units closed in 2023. (Image: Newsquest) Suffolk's recent pharmacy closures include a handful of LloydsPharmacy units - including those at Sainsbury's stores in Felixstowe Road in Ipswich, Sudbury and Haverhill. 

However, Suffolk and North East Essex was not the worst-affected area in the East of England, with Norfolk and Waveney ICB seeing 3,251 hours of closure to make it the third-worst in the country.