A pharmacy in a community hospital is to close in a few weeks after the NHS “massively” increased its rent.
Kamsons Pharmacy has run the branch in Uckfield Community Hospital for 30 years – but says the double whammy of a rent hike plus reductions in NHS funding of pharmacies means it is no longer viable.
NHS Property says it has tried to negotiate with Kamsons, and offered a rent “significantly lower” than the market rate, but this had been turned down.
It is now talking to the GP surgery which may move into the vacant unit after Kamsons moves out on 1 March this year.
Mark Donaghy, professional development manager at Kamsons, said: “It is incredibly sad that after 45 years since we opened our first pharmacy in Uckfield and 30 years after opening this pharmacy in Uckfield Hospital, that the severe lack of funding is causing its closure.
“Community pharmacies are now being paid 28% less in real terms than we were before the pandemic. Not only has there been no increases, spending by the NHS on community pharmacies has actually decreased in the last few years.
“Despite keeping our doors open throughout covid, we are now seeing nearly a dozen community pharmacies closing in the last year in Sussex because of lack of funding.
“The second biggest chain in the UK, Lloyds Pharmacy has closed down altogether and the biggest chain, Boots has closed seven pharmacies in Sussex in the last year.
“We cannot continue to open if we have one part of the NHS massively decreasing our income and another part massively increasing our rent.”
An NHS Property Services (NHSPS) spokesperson said: “All rental valuations undertaken by NHSPS are in line with current market practice. When valuing a co-located pharmacy unit, we use standard valuation methodology where rent is determined on a rate-per-patient basis.
“NHSPS has engaged with Kamsons directly to explore options to support a lower rental rate, and we offered a sum significantly lower than the market rent rate assessed by the Valuation Office Agency.
“We work hard to support and ensure communities can access pharmacy services and that value for the NHS continues to be obtained and protected.
“We are disappointed that Kamsons chose to end their occupancy and are now working with occupiers and commissioners to understand how the space within Uckfield Hospital can be best utilised.
“This includes exploring the vacated space being allocated to the general practitioners’ surgery already on site.”
