Community Pharmacies

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:55 pm on 8 November 2022.

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Photo of Sioned Williams Sioned Williams Plaid Cymru 1:55, 8 November 2022

Diolch. Over the last decade, services delivered by communities' pharmacies have increased, but the numbers of community pharmacies have remained pretty static, despite increased healthcare demands and reforms, such as those you've just mentioned, to support Welsh Government's vision for community pharmacy teams to support health and care services. But many of my constituents have raised issues with me regarding inadequate pharmacy services. In Pontardawe, patients are frequently having to wait over an hour and a half for their prescriptions. An application to open an additional pharmacy was however turned down by the health board and the appeal rejected by Welsh Government, despite accepting some of the arguments put forward by the community, which included all of the GPs in favour of an additional pharmacy to serve it. As a part of the 10-year plan, 'Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales', Welsh Government has committed to enhancing patient experience and to delivering seamless pharmaceutical care. So, how does the Welsh Government propose to match that vision with the current reality on the ground, which, in the case of its decision not to allow an increase in capacity in Pontardawe, the Government is actually obstructing?