DIABETES TREATMENT IN PHARMACIES

That this House welcomes the announcement by Boots that it intends to offer in-store diabetes treatments; acknowledges that pharmacists carrying out diabetes treatments will reduce patient delays and reduce GP waiting times; notes that 80 per cent of NHS spending on diabetes is on avoidable complications and that this could be reduced by easily accessible and prompt treatment; further notes that community pharmacies are facing cuts of £170 million which could see 3,000 out of 11,674 pharmacies close; and urges the Government to mitigate these cuts by utilising community pharmacies to provide free services to patients and relieve pressure on the NHS.