Large Pharmacy Multiples Reducing Opening Hours – Morrisons is the latest supermarket to announce cut down of hours in its stores which operate pharmacies. This announcement has come in order to give the staff a better work life balance and look after their wellbeing, Morrison’s claims.
They have not specified which stores will have the changes but claim that they have made this decision based on how their patients have been using the services since the pandemic therefore believe the reduction in hours will still allow for necessary pharmaceutical services to be delivered.
Tesco has also faced backlash for closing stores early due to a lack of pharmacist resources. Boots has also made changes to many of its stores and even closing stores completely at weekends. But is it due to the lack of pharmacist availability? I believe not, there are plenty of pharmacists available, willing to do the work but the reasons they are not being booked for shifts is due to the row over rates. Large multiples would rather close their pharmacies than pay a higher rate for a locum pharmacist. But I believe the demand for higher rates is understandable due to the huge increase in responsibility, workload and pressure faced by pharmacists and pharmacy teams throughout the pandemic and every day since. Pharmacies have been the only healthcare provider which has kept its doors open, patients can access advice and help from a pharmacist without an appointment and now have access to many services which no longer require the attention of a GP. Reducing the hours for this to be available to the public, will just put more pressure on other pharmacies that are staying open and also back to the surgeries as patients become desperate to get healthcare provision. I don’t think it’s the right approach or the answer. Yes, the multiples save a huge amount of money from staff and resource by reducing their opening hours but they could also create thriving businesses by resourcing and supporting their pharmacies better.