Future of Kingsclere pharmacy in hands of Government
1,800 strong petition opposing any closure
THE future of a Kingsclere pharmacy is now in the hands of the Government.
Earlier this year, on learning it was one of 3,000 pharmacies under threat of Government cuts, Kingsclere villagers and councillors started a petition against the closure of Butts Pharmacy in Swan Street, a feature of village life for approaching three decades.
On Monday, chemist Rahil Butt said a 1,800 signature petition in support of the pharmacy had been sent to the MP for North West Hampshire, Kit Malthouse, who presented it to Minister of State for Community and Social Care at the Department of Health, Alistair Burt .
A qualified village chemist of 26 years, Mr Butt provides over-the-counter advice about medicines. He said the service helped relieve pressure on busy GP surgeries. “If villagers have a question, they can just come and ask – that’s a good service,” said Mr Butt.
At a Kingsclere Parish Council meeting last Monday evening, chairman John Sawyer said the parish council had received a response from the Department of Health, after writing with “grave concerns” about the possible closure.
These included the nearest alternative pharmacy being seven miles away and infrequent bus services which would make it hard for elderly people to collect prescriptions.
The response had proved disappointingly bureaucratic, he said, arguing the nearest alternative pharmacy was only a five-minute drive away.
It also advised raising any concerns with Health Watch England, but gave a wrong address, for West Berkshire, rather than Hampshire.
“It’s a letter written by someone asked by someone else and asked not to say very much,” said Mr Sawyer.
Parish councillor Sue Adams said the Government was keen to promote an online click and collect home delivery-type service. Any closure of the village pharmacy would impact most on those villagers without a car, the elderly and infirm, who would face further to travel to pick up prescriptions, and to a cluster of pharmacies in neighbouring towns and villages, including Newbury and Tadley.
The cuts are part of NHS efficiency measures announced by the Government in December, which will slice £170m from funding for community pharmacies, a reduction of more than six per cent, from £2.8bn to £2.63bn.
Other village facilites under threat in recent years include Kingsclere Library, only saved from a Hampshire County Council axe due to the efforts of volunteers.
