WQ84941 (e) Tabled on 31/03/2022

What data has been received from NHS Wales on the number of unplanned and/or short notice closures of community pharmacies which have taken place from 1 September 2021 to 1 March 2022?

Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services | Answered on 07/04/2022

Between 1 September 2021 and 31 March 2022, there were 1,035 temporary closures reported to the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership.  Of these, 938 (91%) were part day closures of less than four hours. This represents approximately 1% of the number of days on which community pharmacies were open during the period.

Where closures are considered by the relevant health board to be in breach of the terms of service for NHS pharmacies, the health board may issue a breach notice. Two breach notices issued by Health boards in the period 1 September 2021 to 31 March 2022 have been referred to the Welsh Ministers to be considered under the appeals process. The outcome of these appeals have not yet been determined.