05/11/2026
As we continue our engagement work with MPs across Derby and Derbyshire, we were very pleased to welcome Toby Perkins MP to Peak Pharmacy on Saltergate in Chesterfield last week.
Pharmacist Viren Patel, area manager, Kirsten Bagshaw and our deputy chief officer, Amanda Alamanos, did a fantastic job of hosting Toby, who also had his flu jab at the end of the visit.
Explains Amanda: "Toby took the opportunity to ask us all about current issues and pressures so we were able to discuss funding, the need for a better system for reimbursement and payment around dispensing, shortages issues and the impact it has on time and capacity.
"We also talked about constraints within pharmacies to provide more services as contractors don’t get premises funding or support and the impact on having to deal with retail rents.
"It was great to show him how well we work with our LMC and evidence that the recent Men B vaccination programme proves how efficiently and effectively we can respond to deliver vital services, often at short notice."
A huge thank you to everyone who facilitated this visit. We will keep working closely with our local MPs to ensure community pharmacy is always front of mind in relation to improving the health and wellbeing of our patients.
