McInnes Supports Community in Pharmacy Wrangle
September 16, 2009 12:00 AM
Alison McInnes, a local Aberdeenshire MSP, has spoken up for three rural villages that could be at risk of losing their GP dispensary units.
Haddo Medical Practice in Pitmedden as well as the branch surgeries at Methlick and Tarves could lose out if a pharmacy planned for Tarves is given the go ahead.
Mrs McInnes said:
"The problem is not in itself the fact that a pharmacy is hoping to open its doors in Tarves, it is rather the effect it might have on these three rural communities that causes real concern.
"The GP's surgeries at present have their own dispensaries, operated by the GP and funded by NHS. As soon as a commercial pharmacy opens and is given a licence to dispense medicines then this service could be taken away from GP surgeries in the area. While a Chemist shop in Tarves might seem superficially attractive, the reality is that Tarves, Methlick and Pitmedden could end up losing out. They face the possibilty of losing pharmacy services and in the worst case scenario could also lose their surgeries. We can't allow that to happen. I am particularly concerned about the impact on elderly residents in these villages. People value the very localised and responsive service they currently have from the Haddo Practice, and I have written to NHS Grampian urging it to do nothing to jeopardise that."
A patient led petition has attracted more than 1400 signatures in the past week objecting to the planned pharmacy and a public meeting in Tarves was very well attended. A further meeting will take place in Pitmedden on Thursday 17 September.
Ends.
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