Health Chiefs promise to review pharmacy provision

Adrian today welcomed a commitment from local health chiefs to look again at the pharmacy provision at the recently opened West Lancashire Health Centre.

Adrian was contacted by patients frustrated that having been issued with a prescription from the new health centre at Ormskirk hospital they found that the hospital pharmacy refused to fill their prescription forcing them to make a further journey to obtain the medicines prescribed.

Adrian said, "When the new health centre opened, there were grand pledges that this new health centre provided a ‘patient centred’ experience, yet in the area of pharmacy provision those words seem hollow. I’m aware of the needs of other pharmacists in the area, and perhaps they should be asked to quote to provide a service too but I’m not surprised that patients approached me to complain. It’s a sign of how the health service is often more concerned with structures than with a focus on the patient.”

Adrian has raised the issue with local health chiefs and secured a commitment from them to look again at the pharmacy provision. Adrian concluded, “I’m pleased, however that following my approach to the PCT and hospital trust that the issue will be looked at afresh. The new health centre is designed, in part, to attract people not currently registered with a local GP. We need to make it easy for such people to access services and a joined up pharmacy provision is part of that.”

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