Supporting Our Local GP Surgeries and Pharmacies

I’ve made it a priority to visit many GP surgeries and pharmacies across Newbury to listen to the concerns of those on the frontline of our healthcare system. It’s clear that they are facing immense pressure—and it’s time we paid attention.

GP surgeries are being asked to do more and more with fewer resources. During my visits, I heard time and time again how the recent increase in National Insurance Contributions (NICs) is pushing surgeries to breaking point. For some practices, these changes could result in an additional cost of between £35,000 to £70,000 per year. That’s money that could have been spent hiring more staff, upgrading facilities, or improving patient care. Instead, they’re having to divert funds to cover rising costs imposed by the government.

This isn’t just a number on a balance sheet—it’s about people. It’s about surgeries struggling to recruit the doctors and nurses they desperately need. It’s about longer waiting times for patients and overstretched staff who are already at their limits.

Pharmacies are also feeling the pinch. These vital community hubs provide so much more than prescriptions—they offer advice, support, and even lifesaving services. Yet, they too are being asked to shoulder rising costs while their funding remains stagnant.

The reality is that both GP surgeries and pharmacies are being left to pick up the pieces of a broken system. They’re being asked to deliver more services, deal with more complex cases, and fill gaps in the healthcare system—all while facing mounting financial pressures.

This government needs to understand that you cannot keep squeezing healthcare providers without consequences. Patients suffer. Communities suffer. And ultimately, the very foundations of our NHS are at risk.

I’ll continue to stand up for our local surgeries and pharmacies. The work they do is essential, and I’ll keep fighting to ensure they get the support they need—not just to survive, but to thrive.

If you’ve experienced difficulties accessing your local GP or pharmacy, or if you’d like to share your story, please get in touch.