Chief Executive of Healthwatch Derbyshire calls for support for struggling community pharmacies

The Chief Executive of Healthwatch Derbyshire has expressed concern about the state of community pharmacies across the county.

Helen Henderson said that the local services had always been at the heart of our communities, providing essential services and a vital link to healthcare, but said they were currently struggling and that the strain was showing.

Across England, pharmacies are closing—both temporarily and permanently—due to overwhelming pressures and the same trend is being shown in Derbyshire with staffing shortages, financial pressures, and increasing demand forcing more and more pharmacies to shut their doors, even if just for a few hours a day. 

The Chief Executive said the loss of service availability is hitting people in rural areas and older people particularly hard, making it harder for them to access medication and care when they need it most.

Recent Freedom of Information requests completed by Healthwatch England have revealed some worrying statistics. Every time a pharmacy closes, it creates disruption—not just for the staff who are already stretched, but for the people in our communities who rely on them.

In 2022-23, there were 11,414 community pharmacies in England, but the data shows that many are disappearing, with closures happening every day. Across Derbyshire, there are 214 pharmacies, with seven permanent closures taking place during the time period. 

Out of the 214 pharmacies in Derbyshire, 78 had temporary closures each day. This is where pharmacies will shorten their opening hours. The majority of temporary closures are due to staffing shortages, particularly a lack of locum pharmacists. With limited funding and growing demand, it is getting harder for pharmacies to stay open. This means their opening hours are getting shorter, with an average length of three hours 40 minutes lost per day. 

Helen said: "This isn't just a numbers game. Behind each closure is a pharmacy team under pressure and a community left with fewer options for care. Rural areas, where access to healthcare is already a challenge, are suffering the most. Healthwatch England found that areas with a higher percentage of older people are losing more pharmacy hours than other regions, making it even harder for those most in need to get help.

"The Pharmacy First programme, launched earlier this year, was intended to relieve pressure on GP practices by allowing people to access care for seven common conditions through their pharmacy. It’s a brilliant idea, but ongoing closures are putting its success at risk. If pharmacies are closing due to lack of staff and funding, how can they be expected to take on more?

"This isn’t sustainable, and something needs to change. Pharmacies are more than just places to collect prescriptions. They offer advice, provide important health checks, and often act as the first point of contact for those seeking help. We cannot afford to lose them.

"We need to ensure that pharmacies get the support they deserve—whether through increased funding, better recruitment, or measures that address the growing pressure on these essential services.

"At Healthwatch Derbyshire, we’re urging decision-makers to take a close look at the data and listen to the voices of pharmacy staff and patients alike. Without immediate action, the closures will continue, and our communities will be the ones who suffer.

"The message is clear: pharmacies are in crisis, and we must support them before it’s too late."

The briefing 'Pharmacy closures in England' was published recently by Healthwatch England.

If you have a story to share about your experiences of using your local pharmacy – you can contact Healthwatch Derbyshire by phone on 01332 623700, or by sending an e-mail to enquiries @ healthwatchderbyshire.co.uk.  Healthwatch Derbyshire is based at Suite 14, Riverside Business Centre Foundry Lane, Milford, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0RN.

By understanding the impact closures and shorter opening hours may have on you, the organisation can help decision makers make changes that work the best for you and your families.