Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:56 pm on 8 November 2022.
If I can just say in relation to Pontardawe that, obviously, I can't comment on an individual case relating to pharmacy location appeals, but I am aware that Swansea Bay University Health Board has been working with the two pharmacies in Pontardawe over the last year to ensure that an action plan is in place to address service provision concerns.
I think you make a very important point about the role of community pharmacies, and certainly over the last decade, we have seen far more services provided. When I was health Minister, exactly a decade ago, for instance, they didn't give flu vaccines, and now it's part of normal life to be able to access your flu vaccination in a pharmacy. So, certainly, I think it's about the right person in the right place delivering that treatment for people, and community pharmacies have been able to offer an extended range of services, and now with the new contract, I think we'll see even more services being provided.