Aisha Tukur
A councillor has urged NHS bosses to open more pharmacies in a town after analysis showed it had one of the lowest numbers in the country.
Research by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) found Bracknell Forest in Berkshire had the fourth lowest number of pharmacies per 100,000 people.
Bracknell Forest councillor Sophie Forster submitted a question ahead of a full council meeting on 27 November, asking the council to encourage the Frimley Integrated Care Board (ICB) to ensure there were enough facilities in the borough.
A spokesperson for the ICB said the current service in Bracknell was in line with requirements.
“Like many health service providers across the country, pharmacies are operating in a challenging environment,” they said.
“We will continue to do what we can to support them so that they can provide much-valued services to their communities.”
Ms Forster said a 10% rise in the town’s population since 2011 had been met with the closure of some pharmacies, while others had reduced their opening hours.
She said the role of pharmacies was growing under the government’s Pharmacy First scheme.
