Scott on Community Pharmacies

Scott on Community Pharmacies Many people have been contacting me about Community Pharmacies. Undoubtedly this is a big issue here in The Berwick Upon Tweed Constituency. Local pharmacies are vital to our community. They offer important services to the elderly, disabled and those with long term illnesses and provide vital to support to over-stretched GP surgeries and hospitals. Last autumn, the Tories announced that they would push ahead with huge cuts to community pharmacy budgets. It was suggested by a Tory Minister last year that these cuts could lead to the closure of up to 3,000 community pharmacies. Labour opposed these cuts. At a time when NHS is at breaking point with A&E waiting times up and GP surgeries struggling to cope, Labour is clear that putting extra strain on our community health services is unacceptable and would let patients down. That’s why Labour has pledged in its manifesto to halt pharmacy cuts and review provision to ensure that all patients have access to pharmacy services, particularly in deprived or remote communities. As your candidate I am grateful for every opportunity to set out my position to you. Ultimately, this General Election is a choice between a Labour Party who will stand up for the many and a Conservative Party which only looks after the privileged few, and I hope you will consider putting your trust in me, and in Labour. Best wishes, Scott