New Hayling Pharmacy Draws a Step Closer

- Fri 1st Aug 2008

The chance of having a new, independent, pharmacy on Hayling Island is now greatly increased. At a meeting on July 23rd, The Hampshire PCT Pharmacy Applications Committee gave their approval of an application for Butt & Hobbs ltd to open a new pharmacy on the Island, subject to any appeal.

Many locals will welcome this outcome in light on ongoing concerns over the “monopoly” of pharmacies on the Island. All four existing Island pharmacies are operated by Lloyds Pharmacies, a situation which many believe leads to reduced choice and value.

The decision is also a great result for the hayling.co.uk forum. The directors of Butt & Hobbs only became aware of Hayling Island and the potential opportunities for an independent pharmacy here after searching the web for disgruntled pharmacy users around the country. With the issue raising it's head with some regularity on our busy forum it wasn't long before they started finding a bit more about our community.

The application has also received the support of HIRA who feel that; “The current monopoly of the Island's pharmacy is not particularly healthy and does not lead to good service and practice.”. Writing in a letter to the Practitioner and Patient Services Agency, HIRA Chairman Paul Fisher also stated the Association's view that “Complaints about the inefficiency of the pharmacy provision have been frequent for a substantial period of time, as have complaints about the staffing levels on the service and sales floor, particularly with reference to the main store in Mengham.”

No location for the new pharmacy has yet been decided, although HIRA are keen that it is located in the Eastoke area where there is no existing pharmacy. Butt & Hobbs however are of the belief that provision closer to the Health Centre would be a more effective way of increasing choice to more residents, a point which HIRA do not disagree with.

By forum user, Mat

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