PHARMACIES in Ryedale are set to be hit by funding cuts worth more than 10 per cent over the next two years.

According to the Community Pharmacy North Yorkshire group, the Department of Health is to impose funding cuts of £113m this year. This will be followed by further cuts that will reduce funding for pharmacies by more than seven per cent in 2017/18.

Local pharmacists have expressed concern. Neil Beecham, who owns two pharmacies in Norton, said the cuts will be particularly tough for rural districts.

"In an area such as ours, if there are pharmacies in rural locations they're going to be hit the most, but it will affect every pharmacy," he said.

"It's estimated that 3,000 community pharmacies may close. There are currently 11,500 nationally.

"Pharmacists are often the first point of contact for patients, so this is bad for patient choice."

The spectre of staffing cuts and reduced opening hours now loom over pharmacies, according to the Community Pharmacy North Yorkshire group.

Jack Davies, the group's CEO, said: "We are very concerned about these funding cuts and we don't understand how they are compatible with the stated aims of the NHS and Government to provide higher quality and more accessible care for patients.

"Although we are unlikely to see pharmacies closing immediately, the cuts are likely to lead to pharmacies in North Yorkshire having to reduce staffing, cut opening hours and reduce some of the services offered.

"All of which affect patients and will also of course add to the pressure already being placed on local GP practices and hospitals.

"People tell their pharmacist things they might not tell their GP."

PSNC, which is the national negotiator for pharmacies, says the funding cuts may see patients suffer as pharmacies are forced to find ways to reduce their costs.

Sue Sharpe, chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC), said: "This funding imposition is a short-sighted and ill-judged approach to take, particularly when alternative constructive proposals that would address the need for the NHS to make cash savings have been put forward by PSNC.

"Pharmacies have always met demands for help from their patients, particularly in the winter, acting to relieve pressure on general practices and other NHS providers."