Statement from the Chair of Community Pharmacy Tees Valley 2025

2025 Chair’s Annual Review – Community Pharmacy Tees Valley

It has been another significant year for Community Pharmacy Tees Valley, marked by progress, challenge, and a deepening of our role within the wider health and care system. Despite the sustained pressures facing our sector, we have worked collectively to ensure that community pharmacy continues to be recognised as a vital part of the NHS and as a trusted point of care for patients across our region.

Supporting the Delivery of Pharmacy Services. A key priority this year has been ensuring that pharmacies are well supported in delivering and expanding national service commitments. We secured funding for local coaches to help with the roll-out of Pharmacy First, while also driving forward the expansion of Hypertension Case Finding and Contraception Services. These measures have equipped pharmacy teams with additional support, helping them to deliver care effectively, safely, and consistently.

Strengthening Relationships with Decision-Makers Our engagement with elected representatives has been proactive and comprehensive. We are pleased to have connected with all Members of Parliament across the Tees Valley, ensuring they are fully briefed on the value pharmacies bring to their constituents, as well as the challenges that need to be addressed. These conversations have been instrumental in strengthening political awareness and advocacy for the sector.

Securing and Expanding Services We successfully secured new funding for Smoking Cessation Services, enabling community pharmacies to continue their essential role in prevention and supporting healthier lifestyles. This investment represents recognition of the expertise and reach of pharmacy teams, and of their ability to engage people in behaviour change interventions that improve health outcomes.

Embedding Pharmacy in Local Care Structures. Early involvement in the development of Integrated Neighbourhood Health Teams has ensured that pharmacy is not only present but positioned as a core contributor to integrated care at neighbourhood level. Alongside this, we have continued to develop and strengthen relationships with system partners, including the ICB, LMC, LOC, LDC, and PCN colleagues. This ongoing collaboration is vital in shaping services that are coherent, connected, and centred on patient need.

Raising the Profile of Pharmacy Recognising the importance of public and professional awareness, we have invested time and energy into media activity, highlighting both the pressures faced by the sector and the essential services available from local pharmacies. This visibility has helped ensure that our communities understand how and when to use pharmacy services, while also emphasising to policymakers and commissioners the ongoing challenges faced on the frontline.

Looking Ahead, while there is much still to do, the achievements of the past year demonstrate what can be delivered when community pharmacy speaks with one voice and works in partnership with others across the system. The year ahead will no doubt bring continued pressures, but also opportunities to build on our successes, strengthen our service offer, and ensure community pharmacy remains a cornerstone of healthcare delivery in Tees Valley.

I would like to thank all contractors, pharmacy teams, and system partners for their dedication, professionalism, and commitment throughout the year. Together, we are building a stronger platform for the future of community pharmacy.

Pete Horrocks

Chair

Community Pharmacy Tees Valley