NHS pharmacy cuts: Tory ministers accused of piling even more pressure on A&Es

Funding reductions could lead to the closure of hundreds - or even thousands - of high street pharmacies, Opposition parties claimed

Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat health spokesman, criticised pharmacy cuts as 'a false economy' (PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Ministers were accused of piling more pressure on overcrowded GP surgeries and A&E departments after announcing cuts to pharmacies.

Opposition parties attacked the announcement that more than seven per cent will be slashed from funding for community pharmacies over the next two years, after weeks of speculation.

They said the reductions could trigger the closure of hundreds, if not thousands, of badly-needed high street pharmacies and were a “false economy”.

There was also anger that health minister David Mowat was unable to say how many would be sent to the wall – even claiming it was possible that none would shut.

Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat health spokesman, said: “The Government’s belief that cutting funding for community pharmacies will improve efficiency in the NHS is a complete false economy.

“These myopic plans will further increase pressure on GP surgeries and hospitals that are already buckling under the strain of limited resources and unprecedented demand for services.

“More people will be forced to take unnecessary trips to their GP and even A&E, which is completely counter to NHS England’s vision.”

The Government has previously suggested that up to 3,000 pharmacies could close as a result of funding cuts.

But, today, Mr Mowat accused critics of “scaremongering”, saying: “It's possible that none will close, I do not believe 3,000 will close.

"But I would say this - the average operating margin that a pharmacy makes is 15 per cent. That is after salaries and after rent.

“The cuts we're making, or the efficiencies we're asking for, is significantly lower than that.”

The announcement will see chemists will lose four per cent of their funding in 2016-17 and a further 3.4 per cent in 2017-18.

Former Conservative minister Michael Gove said: “Can I congratulate the minister for recognising what Labour failed to - that NHS money is taxpayers' money and the priority should always be patient care, not the profits of private equity firms.”