Shadow Health Secretary, Jonathan Ashworth visited Bedminster Pharmacy in Bristol this week to show his support for community pharmacy.

“Pharmacies play a crucial role in our community. They are a lifeline for many people and in the face of unprecedented demands on health and social care services their importance is greater than ever," he said.

“However under the Tories pharmacies are under threat. Hundreds of millions of pounds of Government funding has been cut from pharmacy budgets and the result is many branches across the country could be at risk.

“The Tories have shown little understanding of the true value of community pharmacy. It is clear that these cuts are driven by cost and not by concerns about care. The Government ought to do more to support successful and innovative community pharmacies like Bedminster Pharmacy who already demonstrate their important part in our modern health service.”

While visiting, he took up Ade Williams' offer of a flu jab. Williams was ICP's Independent Pharmacy Award winner for innovation in 2016.