The Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire met on Wednesday, 1 April 2026, to discuss the performance of the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) and the current state of community pharmacy services in Lincolnshire. The committee noted concerns regarding ongoing challenges with hospital handover times and data sharing within EMAS, and expressed significant concerns about the sustainability of community pharmacies, the security of medicine supply, and the need for increased investment in the sector.

East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) Performance Update

The committee received an update on EMAS's performance in Lincolnshire, noting improvements in some areas since the previous meeting in March 2025. Presentations highlighted efforts to improve response times, recruitment and retention of qualified staff, and the implementation of new clinical strategies. However, concerns were raised about the persistent issue of hospital handover times, which significantly impact the availability of ambulances for emergency calls. The committee also noted the ongoing challenges posed by the rural nature of Lincolnshire, which affects response times.

Key points discussed included:

• Performance Improvement: While EMAS reported improvements in Category 2 response times and a reduction in sickness absence rates, pre-hospital handover delays remained a significant challenge, particularly during winter months. The implementation of a 45-minute handover process was noted as a positive step.
• Workforce: The report highlighted an improving skill mix with an increase in registered clinicians and a continued focus on staff wellbeing, resulting in the lowest sickness absence rates in the region. Efforts to recruit and retain staff, including training new paramedics and developing internal talent, were also detailed.
• Clinical Initiatives: The expansion of the Clinical Hub, which handles non-emergency calls and provides clinical advice, was noted as helping to free up frontline staff for emergencies. The committee heard about the development of over 91 alternative care pathways to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.
• Emergency Preparedness: EMAS confirmed its ongoing commitment to its statutory duties under the Civil Contingencies Act, with regular training and exercises conducted in partnership with local resilience forums.

The committee passed a proposal to thank the presenters, acknowledge the positive future plans outlined by EMAS, but remain concerned about hospital handover times and data sharing, and requested a further report in a year's time.

Community Pharmacy Services in Lincolnshire

The committee received a two-part report detailing the challenges facing community pharmacies in Lincolnshire and the services they provide. Presentations from Community Pharmacy Lincolnshire and NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) highlighted significant concerns about the financial sustainability of pharmacies, leading to a risk of further closures.

Key issues raised included:

• Funding and Sustainability: Community pharmacies are operating under significant financial pressure, with a reported £2 billion shortfall in national funding. This lack of investment means pharmacies are dipping into their own pockets to cover operational costs, leading to concerns that up to 63% of pharmacies could close in the next year. The report highlighted that 99% of pharmacies in England are considered unsustainable in the long term.
• Medicines Shortages: Pharmacies are spending considerable time sourcing medicines due to national and global shortages, with the House of Lords identifying medicines security as a national priority. The no cheaper stock obtainable system is being used for an increasing number of medicines, placing a financial burden on pharmacies.
• Workforce and Services: Despite the challenges, community pharmacies are providing essential and advanced services, including Pharmacy First (for seven common conditions), Hypertension Case Finding, and the Contraception Service. There are efforts to upskill the pharmacy workforce, with an increase in independent prescribers and pharmacy technicians.
• Aggression Towards Staff: The report highlighted a significant increase in verbal and physical abuse directed at pharmacy staff, with one in five pharmacies reporting daily abuse.
• ICB Restructuring: The clustering of ICBs is causing some disruption to collaborative working, and concerns were raised about how primary care clinician perspectives, beyond general practice, will be incorporated into local commissioning decisions.
• Independent Prescribing: Lincolnshire is participating in a national pathfinder programme for independent prescribing in community pharmacies, with five sites testing models to address medicine shortages and improve patient access.

The committee expressed significant concerns about the security of medicine supply and supported key recommendations from a House of Lords report on medicines security. They resolved to make local Members of Parliament aware of these concerns and requested a further report from Community Pharmacy Lincolnshire and the ICB in a year's time.

Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire - Work Programme

The committee reviewed its work programme, noting the confirmed items for forthcoming meetings. Members requested that updates on the pain service in Lincolnshire and the use of Section 106 funding be added to the work programme for future consideration. The committee also noted the need to scrutinise the role of pharmacies within neighbourhood health planning.

The meeting concluded with the committee noting the work programme and the requests made for future agenda items.