Today Mark Prisk MP, the Shadow Minister for Cornwall and I pledged to give our full support to save dispensaries in GP’s surgeries throughout West Cornwall.
Mark and I visited three dispensing surgeries today and we both pledged to fight Government proposals to cut local dispensing surgeries. A proposal in the "Pharmacy in England; Building on Strengths—Delivering the Future" White Paper issued by the Department for Health, could result in many rural practices having to stop dispensing medicines to their patients.
We were both fortunate to hear the concerns of local patients and practitioners at St. Keverne Surgery, Helston Medical Centre and Marazion Surgery (photo above with Practice Manager Jackie Brown and Dr. Walden). We witnessed the depth of local feeling throughout West Cornwall and pledged to campaign to save the dispensaries with local patients. The campaign has so far led to hundreds of local residents writing letters of objection to the Government regarding the possible loss of rural dispensing surgeries.
Mark said that the Conservatives favour keeping the current arrangements within surgeries: “I cannot stress enough the importance of services such as dispensing surgeries and post offices in small rural communities. The Conservatives oppose any change in the provision of dispensaries in local GP’s surgeries.”
We were both appalled that under Government proposals, up to 80,000 of the 140,500 patients in Cornwall who have their medicines directly dispensed by their GP’s surgery could lose this choice. Surgeries would also lose the valuable source of revenue provided by their dispensing capability, which could adversely contribute to the future viability of the surgery.
Mark and I were not able to visit all of the dispensing surgeries that could be affected by the Government’s proposals. However, these surgeries alone dispense to almost 9,000 patients; to lose their dispensing service is unacceptable and unnecessary, particularly when you consider that many of these patients are older of vulnerable people. I invited Mark today to witness our concerns first hand and to make our views clear back at Westminster. The Government White Paper provides limited options, including the status quo. This is the only option that would protect rural dispensing surgeries and ensure patients retain choice when collecting their prescription.
Mark assured me that he will return to Westminster to make representations to the Government on behalf of all of us in West Cornwall.
We were both fortunate to hear the concerns of local patients and practitioners at St. Keverne Surgery, Helston Medical Centre and Marazion Surgery (photo above with Practice Manager Jackie Brown and Dr. Walden). We witnessed the depth of local feeling throughout West Cornwall and pledged to campaign to save the dispensaries with local patients. The campaign has so far led to hundreds of local residents writing letters of objection to the Government regarding the possible loss of rural dispensing surgeries.
Mark said that the Conservatives favour keeping the current arrangements within surgeries: “I cannot stress enough the importance of services such as dispensing surgeries and post offices in small rural communities. The Conservatives oppose any change in the provision of dispensaries in local GP’s surgeries.”
We were both appalled that under Government proposals, up to 80,000 of the 140,500 patients in Cornwall who have their medicines directly dispensed by their GP’s surgery could lose this choice. Surgeries would also lose the valuable source of revenue provided by their dispensing capability, which could adversely contribute to the future viability of the surgery.
Mark and I were not able to visit all of the dispensing surgeries that could be affected by the Government’s proposals. However, these surgeries alone dispense to almost 9,000 patients; to lose their dispensing service is unacceptable and unnecessary, particularly when you consider that many of these patients are older of vulnerable people. I invited Mark today to witness our concerns first hand and to make our views clear back at Westminster. The Government White Paper provides limited options, including the status quo. This is the only option that would protect rural dispensing surgeries and ensure patients retain choice when collecting their prescription.
Mark assured me that he will return to Westminster to make representations to the Government on behalf of all of us in West Cornwall.
