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An independent pharmacist has secured the right to open two pharmacies in Newcastle after North-East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB)’s decision to refuse his applications was quashed.

Habib Jiwa, 30, a director at Jiwa Pharm Limited, will be able open the pharmacies in Heaton and Kenton, areas that have been hit by pharmacy closures, after NHS Resolution ruled NENC ICB failed to sufficiently consider the extent to which closures were “likely to create a gap in provision of pharmaceutical services”.

Residents in those suburbs have been concerned about their access to pharmacy care after branches of Boots in Heaton and Kenton and nearby Elswick closed. A LloydsPharmacy inside a Sainsbury’s in Heaton also closed.

NHS Resolution gave Jiwa green light to proceed 

NENC ICB originally rejected applications from Jiwa Pharm Limited and Quayside Pharmacy Limited to open a pharmacy on the site of a former Boots branch in Heaton before both appealed against the decision. In June this year, NHS Resolution gave Jiwa the green light to proceed with its application.

In deciding the appeals, NHS Resolution said: “Heaton is an area that does not have a reasonable choice of pharmacy services and is clearly in need of better access to pharmacy services.”

Its decision to overturn NENC ICB’s ruling was welcomed by Newcastle City Council, whose pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA) identified service gaps in Heaton and Kenton.

The Council said Jiwa’s two pharmacies are expected to open in the next 12 months. Independent Community Pharmacist understands another application for a pharmacy on the site of a former Boots branch in Cruddas Park Shopping Centre which was also rejected by NENC ICB is being reviewed.

Newcastle City Council leader Karen Kilgour said: “This is not only fantastic news for these communities that pharmacy services are returning to their doorsteps, but it also unequivocally proves the value in using data and evidence to highlight the gaps in services our residents rely on to then take action to improve their access to services.

“Without the PNA, the situation for residents affected by previous closures would likely not have improved, so I’m really pleased to welcome at least these two new pharmacies and hopefully a third in the near future.

“Using evidence and local knowledge to improve access to health services in this way is precisely the type of intervention we want to see as we continue our journey towards becoming a Marmot City and ensuring all our communities can live longer and healthier lives in Newcastle.”