Pharmacies welcome additional funding to ensure improved access to primary care services this winter

Written by on 11th January 2022

Community Pharmacy Wales welcomes the news from the Welsh Government that they will provide additional funding of up to £2.5m to support pharmacies to increase access to and the availability of priority services.

It is testament to the significant role that pharmacies have played in primary care that additional funding of up to £3,500 per pharmacy will be available to support those pharmacies who consistently provide increased availability of the common ailment service this winter. An important decision that will reduce the pressure on hospitals, GP practices and other NHS services.

Pharmacists have played a significant role in providing front line treatment during the pandemic as well as relieving the pressure on other primary care services. For example, pharmacists provided 168,300 flu vaccinations to the end of December 2021, a 92% increase on the same point last year.

Additionally, despite media concern over the accessibility of lateral flow tests, community pharmacies delivered 469,886 transactions of lateral flow tests in 2021, with 189,649 transactions in December, providing 283,047 kits to 229,789 patients.

Commenting on the announcement, Mark Griffiths, Chair of Community Pharmacy Wales, said:

“Community Pharmacy Wales is extremely grateful to the pharmacists across Wales for their vital work during the pandemic.

“We are pleased this has been recognised through the Welsh Government’s commitment to additional funding of £2.5m to increase access to and availability of priority services. We additionally welcome the funding of £3,500 to each pharmacy that provides the common ailment service, acknowledging the important role that pharmacies can play in reducing pressure on NHS services.”


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