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Pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock has promised to meet with a Hampshire MP over a “baffling” NHS decision to reject an application to open a pharmacy in a “popular retirement town”. 

The minister was responding to a parliamentary query from Conservative MP for Gosport Dame Caroline Dinenage, who said that although her constituents in the Lee-On-Solent area are “desperate” for a second pharmacy to open locally, an application for inclusion on the pharmaceutical list by a contractor familiar with the area was recently rejected on appeal. 

She asked if Mr Kinnock shared her “disappointment that local people are not going to be served in the correct way by pharmacy provision” and requested a meeting with him.

Mr Kinnock replied: “That does sound somewhat baffling, given that there is demand for the service.”

“Pharmacies play an absolutely vital role in our communities. I would be happy to meet the honourable Lady to discuss the details further.”

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board told P3pharmacy that while it supported the application, NHS England had rejected it “based on established criteria”.  

James Roach, director of primary and local care at the ICB, said: “We recognise that patients in Lee-on-Solent would like to have increased access to community pharmacies and the vital healthcare role they continue to play in primary care.  

“As an Integrated Care Board, we support and recognise the value of the application given the increased services pharmacies can offer as an extended access point. 

“Based on established criteria the appeal was refused by NHS England. We are working alongside local stakeholders and will continue to look at ways to increase and improve community pharmacy access for local patients moving forward in light of this outcome.”

Mr Kinnock’s remarks followed his public interventions in the crisis facing many Jhoots Pharmacy stores in late 2025, and could provide further indication that the Government is prepared to assume greater oversight of community pharmacies’ contractual affairs than has traditionally been the case. 

Dame Caroline Dinenage told P3pharmacy: "The highly respected owner of a successful pharmacy in my constituency lodged an application to open a second site. This site was in Lee-on-the-Solent, a popular retirement town which unbelievably has only one pharmacy currently, despite 3000 over-65s living locally.

“I was happy to support this application to the ICB, and, when that was rejected, submit a deputation at appeal. The proposal has significant local support as despite the efforts of the hard-working staff at the existing pharmacy they are stretched, causing queues and delays for residents.

"That's why I was surprised that the appeal was rejected. There is recourse to further action though through the secretary of state, and that's why I was glad that he agreed to meet with me."

NHS Resolution, the body responsible for considering appeals from primary care contractors, has been approached for comment.

Related: Pharmacist to open pharmacies in Newcastle after ICB’s decision quashed