Pharmacy Hours Cut by 20% in England

0:00On March 13, in England, weekend pharmacy hours have dropped by more than 20% since 2022. One in six pharmacies has cut back on Saturdays and Sundays or closed entirely, mainly due to tight budgets. Rural areas like Devon, Cornwall, and the leg district feel this the most. In places such as St. Ives or Windermere, residents now drive 10 miles or more up to 25 minutes by car for open pharmacies or longer by bus. Patients without cars, disabled folks, and shift workers are hit hardest. Many turn to emergency rooms or urgent care for basics like the morning after pill or minor ailment advice. Pharmacy leaders warn the whole network is straining under years of funding squeezes. Patient groups say this blocks the push for more community-based care, leaving people without easy access. The government highlights a funding jump to 3.1 billion pounds for pharmacies. The biggest in the health service and is consulting on next, years plans to keep care close to home.