Pharmacy must not be closed

Published on 25th September 2008 in Letters

Sir - I would like to express my concern about the loss of pharmacy services in the community as laid out in the recent white paper. If the government goes ahead and implements these proposals the overall effect would be devastating for the patients of Gilberdyke clinic, particularly those in all the surrounding hamlets and villages.

In terms of inconvenience the following procedures would have to be put in place: patients have to visit the practice, get a doctor's prescription, then go to the nearest private shop/pharmacy - two trips, in bad weather very undesirable. Also opening/closing times. No waiting rooms, no chairs for the elderly or for pregnant mums. This is all considering people's abilities.

With the dispensary closed everyone has to book an appointment with their GP, thus complicating procedures and reducing the GPs' invaluable time on more essential work. Reduce the number of GPs, nurses, and admin staff and the problems escalate.

You may think this missive is becoming long-winded, but I think people need to be put completely in the picture. The next part of the picture casts further shadows across the situation in the so-called interests of economics. Various rooms will have to be closed, thus denying these spaces and facilities to district nurses, midwives, health visitors, counsellors, dietitians and other specialists. We will also lose the following clinics: antenatal clinic, baby clinic, well person clinic, asthma clinic, diabetes clinic, hypertension clinic, ischaemic heart disease clinic.

Once essential equipment is lost or disposed of, it would take years to bring the practice back to its present standard. Don't forget, kind-hearted people probably contributed to buying various items. The relationships between doctors, nurses, admin, patients would deteriorate - is this what the far-sighted originators of our NHS scheme would want? I think not. People first.

D. Poulton

Newport Road, North Cave