Despite the lack of publicity and opportunity for discussion, toward the end of 2023 we became aware of possible closure of pharmacies in Newcastle.

First, Lloyds announced their closure of several branches including a busy one inside a large Sainsbury’s, which was popular with wheelchair users due to flat access.

Then Boots announced closure of five local branch pharmacies, affecting several neighbourhoods. I and dozens of my Ward residents would be personally affected by at least one of these closures and, as word spread about them, residents began voicing their concerns via local social media. They were not happy at being directed to other venues either a twenty-five minute walk or a bus ride away, and, even more difficult for those pushing a pram or using mobility aids.

In Kenton, the Boots pharmacy backed onto the local Health Centre, so was the first choice for residents. The nearest alternate was a mile away, dreadful news for the many elderly and disabled users. In this Ward, we fortunately had a keen young member, so decided to mount a petition and, despite the bitter winter weather, Rob stood outside collecting signatures and listening to the concerns of residents. Those of us who braved the elements to help, also stood round, gave advice and picked up casework. Soon the numbers were building up, and we opted to submit the petition to the next full Council meeting.

In the meanwhile, as I was a member of the Health & Social Care Scrutiny Committee and the Health & Wellbeing Board, I was able to raise questions about this issue, and managed to speak with a member of the Integrated Health Board, who advised it was out of their hands and there was little to be done about a commercial decision. This at a time HM Government was running a campaign to encourage more people to avoid A & E departments and use local chemists for minor illnesses!

The Kenton Ward Labour Councillors heard about our petition and decided to mount their own, managing to get about forty-five signatures (compared with our seven hundred plus!) and quickly popped it in for the next Council meeting. This meant that ours could not be submitted as, despite the different wording, it was considered to be about the same issue.

Not to be outdone we raised the matter via a FOCUS leaflet and, with a few hours to spare, I submitted a Motion about local pharmacy closures to the City Council. Although pharmacies are not a responsibility of Local Authorities, the planned closures would have had a negative effect on many residents, especially children, disabled and the elderly, so I carefully worded the Motion to request that communications of concern be made to local Health Trusts and the Interim Care Board.

There was a busy agenda at the full Council meeting and my Motion was last on the list. I worried that there would be insufficient time to present it; but was pleasantly surprised when members from all sides requested to speak. Many spoke of how the closed pharmacies would affect their Ward, their residents, including their own family members. Some also mentioned the shortages of medicines being experienced.

Fortunately, the Motion was passed, resulting in the Chief Executive writing about concerns to the Interim Care Board and the Department of Health. The Council’s Labour Leader also wrote to Boots about the number of closures across the city (I understand he was motivated following a visit to one alternative pharmacy premise to collect medicine for a family member, and having to stand around for two hours as it was so busy). We also had mentions in the local print media and ITV news.

It also spurred the Interim Care Board into action and a couple of months later they gave a presentation outlining a comprehensive investigation undertaken across a clutch of Wards into the effects of the closures on the local neighbourhood populations. The result was that licences for two of the pharmacies were to be restored, in both Kenton and my own neighbourhood, and we expect new premises to open soon.

We have been able to publicize this via Social Media and local leaflets, and I raised the issue of pharmacy closures at Spring Conference in March 2024 and with Daisy Cooper MP.

* Doreen Huddart is a Liberal Democrat councillor in Newcastle upon Tyne.