Further to the announcement of a public meeting, St Mawes Pharmacy have started an online petition entitled “Save St Mawes Pharmacy”. Details can be found here.
Speaking to Roseland Online, Faisal Baig said “I think it is very important people understand that this is not a choice between the Pharmacy and GP. This is starting to circulate as a rumour. You can and should have both and that’s what this is about – not about losing the surgery as a result – which is not the case. The funds for the GP practice should be and are completely independent”.
The meeting will take place in St Mawes Memorial Hall on 5 February at 5.00pm.
It is a great pity that this debate seems to creating a division between the GP surgery and the Pharmacy. They are both vital health services in any community. The Pharmacist can remove a lot of the pressure on consultations that the surgery would normally have. This debate should not be reduced to one of which can benefit most from the income available. This is about patient care.
Many years ago when I was Chair of the FHSA Pharmacy Practices sub committee. We had to make decisions about the suitability of GP practices becoming a dispensing practice. At the time I was concerned that this would result in some pharmacies becoming unviable and unfortunately that is the case.
We really have to get our priorities right in this country. Do we want a well funded health service or not. At the moment according to the independant U.S. research group The Commonwealth Fund, in the industrial world, the UK’s NHS has the best health care at one of the lowest costs. We must spend more to save this pharmacy.
Sorry, forgot to say – I’m sure no one will begrudge me giving special thanks to chairman Keith Warren for chairing fantastically last night and making sure as many people as possible got their say (for a change ;)) and controlled everything at the same time!
Myself, Linda, and Jenna would like to thank everyone for their support this evening and over the last month. We are so blessed to be working in and for a community ready to stand up for one another.
It’s not fair to single out people who did so much work to support our case for continued pharmacy services required – you know who you are! Everyone’s effort counted in the end even if it was just with a simple signature or a supporting word of gratitude.
I feel so lucky to be your pharmacist. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to carry on doing that. smile emoticon.
I really hope we can continue to provide the service I know you all deserve, and am confident we will alongside your local surgery.
NHS England said they had “never seen anything like this before at a public meeting”!
I want to pay tribute to Linda and Jenna without whom the service you have received to date from the pharmacy would not have been possible. We all work as a team, and we look forward to continuing that in the future. Thanks again.
Faisel Baig
St Mawes Pharmacy.
THANK YOU THANK THANK YOU ST.MAWES.WHAT A TURN OUT ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT,AND YOU HAVE MORE THAN LIKELY SAVED THE PHARMACY FUNDING.HOW IMPRESSED WERE THE NHS TEAM,TALKING TO THEM AFTER THE MEETING AND CHATTING ON WAY TO THE CAR PARK THEY WILL DO EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO GET THE FUNDING FOR THE PHARMACY,AND THAT WAS FROM JANET NEWPORT.
WELL DONE KEITH WHAT A BRILLIANT CHAIRMAN,AND A HUGE THANKS TO THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE,YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE,AND FAISEL WHO IS THE MOST SHOCKED PERSON AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME FOR THE BACKING THE VILLAGE HAS GIVEN HIM.
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN.
PS .SURGERY IF YOU WERE IN TROUBLE,LOOK AT THE BACK UP THAT MAY BE YOURS.START BUILDING BRIDGES AS OF TODAY
Thursday 5th February
What a good meeting we had in St Mawes with the hall packed to the rafters. The NHS ladies were very impressed, and amazed to encounter such a lively and enthusiastic village audience. Let’s hope Faisel and the Pharmacy get the grant they need so that he is appropriately remunerated for his diligence and professional expertise. Let’s hope too that the NHS ladies will pass on their favourable opinions to whoever is in charge of the GPs budgets, so that St Mawes surgery will also be supported. They were left in no doubt that St Mawes needs both.
If there is no Pharmacy in St Mawes, those dependent on prescription drugs will feel more vulnerable. The knock on effect of that might be an increased use of the more vital services, such as using the already over stretched “111” or “999” service, or going to A & E instead.
This proposed closure makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. The availability of the pharmacy means weight taken off the already stretched GP surgery services. It is also a fact that numerous non prescription items are required by many. Take that away and there is an immediate chance of extra pressure on the GPs. What about people who are unable to travel any distance unless they are given transport assistance or are certain elements giving up caring for the elderly and disabled?!! Simple services such as minor ailments/injuries and the taking of blood pressure all help to carry some of the weight for an already overstretched NHS. This whole episode adds up to little forethought and in terms of local services it is madness. The Pharmacy MUST remain for the good of all. Rob Axworthy
Pharmacies and medical practices are both businesses, and both are reliant on the NHS (in the case of many pharmacies, about 95{c8c3b3d140ed11cb7662417ff7b2dc686ffa9c2daf0848ac14f76e68f36d0c20} of income comes from the NHS).
As the pharmacy and GP practice should have a joint ambition that patients have access to high quality and comprehensive pharmacy and medical services, it would be more helpful if the debate was centered on ensuring that the NHS continue to adequately fund both services, rather than suggesting that each business would like to see the closure of the other.
These comments are strictly my own on what I know of the present situation referring to the pharmacy situation in St.Mawes.
Firstly there is a scheme where small pharmacy in strategic areas get funding from the government,all of these get funding from the government to the tune of £54,000.Not just St.Mawes right across the countryThis is no different to your local bus company or the farming industry, they all get some sort of funding as necessary to the survival of our community and others in rural areas throughout the country.
Second the doctors surgery cannot sell over the counter medication such as cough medicines,common ailments such as cold sores dandruff treatment and countless other items/aids.The pharmacy has a three tier service which many people seem not to understand.1 dispensing prescriptions from the surgery and this can be done by phone.2 Medication which can only be sold by having a pharmasist in attendence,such things as Night Nurse and some of the cough mixtures that can lead to drowsiness.You will be asked if you are on other medications or if you have high blood pressure.A safeguard from someone who knows what different drugs can do and can give you advice safely.3 Other medications such as eye drops low level cough mixture and athletes foot cream,and the list again is countless.
Should the surgery really think they could cope with this added burden they must be totally stupid and have not thought the consequences through.Are you really trying to blackmail St.mawes with the closure of the surgery.I am appalled that people who are supposed to be acting in the interest of their patients can have stooped to such a low level.What they seem to forget is the money they have had taken away is £49000 and is over a 7 year period,that is £7000 per annum.What do doctors get paid,well I don’t know in their case but not badly I suspect.
Whoever was responsible for the statement should think again.Their was never in the pharmacies mind any need for conflict between either party but the surgery and the governments way of presenting this is totally wrong.Who was banging the gong and who said we would protect the NHS and boasted how it has improved the service.What a load of typical political waffle.Seen the adds lately to go to your local pharmacy for advice instead of clogging surgeries and A&E.
I rest my case and if you think your local surgery has any real interest in you,no they are only see £££££££££ signs apparently.I await the response just so I can bring this to the public forum,which no one wanted to do but the surgery has has made that fatal mistake of a them and us campaign.Beneath the belt Doctors and I do understand that their are not 100 {c8c3b3d140ed11cb7662417ff7b2dc686ffa9c2daf0848ac14f76e68f36d0c20} agreement in your ranks.Have they the guts to stand and be sensible,and have an intergrated care service where everyone wins.This is about people needing care and both services surviving.WE NEED BOTH
St Mawes and surrounding villages desperately need access to a local chemist shop. Please, please do not let this be closed down as it would be a tragedy.
Please do not withdraw this vital service for our local community.
The St Mawes Pharmacy plays an important and vital role for local residents and those in surrounding villages who would find it very hard if this facility were to be withdrawn. We feel very strongly that this business should remain for the benefit of our rural community.
Who is posting as “Roseland Surgeries”? Is it one doctor or all the doctors?
It is Government and NHS policy to encourage people to take control of their own health. Their current campaign encourages people to try to help themselves, by seeking advice from their pharmacist, rather than attending their GP’s surgery or A&E when it isn’t necessary. Indeed the 111 service was introduced as a way of reducing pressure on frontline services; it is now itself overloaded and finding it difficult to cope, thus increasing the need for alternatives.
I am surprised to note from the comments (below) by the Roseland Surgeries that they are presented as a viable alternative to the pharmacy. The Surgery does not sell over the counter medication, nor does it sell medication such as migraleve or sudafed which may only be sold when a pharmacist is present. The Surgery does not offer a drop in service for advice on minor injuries or ailments. Nor does it provide advice to visitors about the suitability of over the counter medication eg aspirin when taken with prescription drugs.
It is ingenuous to say that “no one would have to travel anywhere for their prescription medication …[as the] practice already provides a free delivery service for the housebound”. Many people are not housebound, but do not drive; public transport is erratic and expensive. To be able to walk to the local pharmacy is more than an advantage, it is essential, particularly when unwell.
Pharmacies are not just “a private business” they are a vital part of what should be a coordinated National Health Service, reducing the burden on A&E departments and GPs, and deserve to be funded and supported accordingly.
Am I correct in my understanding of comments already made that Roseland Surgeries is actively lobbying to receive the funding for dispensing itself at the expense of St Mawes Pharmacy? I understand that funding for GP surgeries is stretched and this would provide a further source of income. However, we hear so much about the demands and pressures on GPs. Surely the presence of a pharmacist in St Mawes eases this pressure, residents and holidaymakers can discuss minor ailments at the Pharmacy and purchase appropriate OTC medicines. Would Roseland Surgeries provide a full complement of OTC products? My understanding is that it would be a prescription only service.
St Mawes Pharmacy provides an essential service to the residents, community and holidaymakers. The implications of its loss of funding are so much wider and more serious than whether you pick up your prescription at the GP surgery or the chemist.
Having visited St.Mawes for over 18 years, I have had the benefit of using the St.Mawes Pharmacy.
The practicalities involved in travelling to either Truro,Falmouth or St.Austell for people who are infirm, unwell or do not drive, is unthinkable. The service the pharmacy provides must be retained at all costs.
No one wants to see a business on the Roseland fold but this needs to be a balanced debate. If the pharmacy closes there is a viable alternative. In this situation patients in St Mawes would become eligible for the Roseland Surgeries to dispense their medication in their local branch surgery as is the case for the rest of the Roseland.
The funding from the extra dispensing would strengthen health delivery in the area. The only thing the surgery would not be allowed to do is sell non-prescription medication, cosmetics, etc. No one would have to travel anywhere for their prescription medication and the practice already provides a free delivery service for the housebound. Currently it appears £54000 of tax payers money is being used to support a private business which has been taking active steps to encourage dispensing business away from the local GP practice in the St Just-in-Roseland area. The local practice has already had the equivalent rural payment removed from their budget. Further loses of dispensing business will put branch surgeries at risk of closure.
See what I have said in the comments above yours.The sad part is that you may have shot yourselves in the foot and the general feeling is of sadness that the surgery is not supporting the pharmacy.Did you really think your comments out in a proffesional way.From what I have read no.There should be no conflict as you and the pharmacy are needed in the village.There has been a pharmacy in the village for over 60 years and I was told it was 80.
There is still no response from “Roseland Surgeries”. Is some unauthorised person using that name to criticise the pharmacy or have the doctors themselves written it? I thought doctors in their work were supposed to be apart from politics.
I am really shocked and sad to read some of these comments .Can it be that Roseland surgeries are not supporting the pharmacy because of the extra business which the pharmacy closure will bring them ?This pharmacy is a resource to the village which if it is lost will never come back.It provides 2 full time jobs which help support the community.The minor ailments that the pharmacy deals with is a valuable service and is used a lot by the whole community and tourists.The figures I have seen in the comments are not correct.
In most of the pharmacies I work in currently would be unthinkable for them to close.I do emergency contraception,help woundcare,dispense for addicts,answer questions without an appointment ,check that medication is safe to hand out.Most countries in the world have pharmacy services.Are we saying that this is not needed in St Mawes? I do hope that the Roseland surgery will give some support to the continuation of pharmacy services on the Roseland.The fact that there are over 12000 pharmacies which are well used in the whole of the U.K tells us that this is a valued service.Why should the Roseland have this taken away?
I had hoped the Roseland surgery would support the need for a pharmacy in the community.The Isles of Scilly lost pharmacy services there and it has only just been re-opened after some years of experimenting without.It was deemed necessary.I am really shocked and sad to read some of these comments .Can it be that Roseland surgeries are not supporting the pharmacy because of the extra business which the pharmacy closure will bring them , I hope that I am wrong in this interpretation of the comment dated 23/1/15?A pharmacy is a resource to the village which if it is lost will never come back.It provides 2 full time jobs which help support the community.The minor ailments that the pharmacy deals with is a valuable service and is used a lot by the whole community and tourists.The figures I have seen in the comments are not correct.
In most of the pharmacies I work in currently would be unthinkable for them to close.They do stop smoking advice, weight loss,emergency contraception,help woundcare,dispense for addicts,answer questions without an appointment ,check that medication is safe to hand out.Most countries in the world have pharmacy services.Are we saying that this is not needed in St Mawes? I do hope that the Roseland surgery will give some active support to the continuation of pharmacy services on the Roseland.The fact that there are over 12000 pharmacies which are well used in the whole of the U.K tells us that this is a valued service.Why should the Roseland have this taken away?
We visit St Mawes every year we don’t choose only for it magnificence but the quality services it has especially it’s independent pharmacy that allows us the confidence that I can collect prescriptions there.Electronic prescriptions will allow me to do this much more easily especially if your wonderful pharmacy continues to thrive.
However I especially feel for the Pharmacy. Who may find themselves in a possition that they can not financially remain in business due to high rents ,especially if a new lease is required its a difficult desist on to commit to a new 9 year lease in these rapidly changing economic times,insufficient local support in purchasing there general merchandise.The pharmacy cannot survive on prescription issues only. I write this as a Subpostmaster of a large PO who after 30 years owning & running many different PO’s have come to the sorry conclusion that we can no longer continue with out customer footfall & we are stepping aside. Shopping habits have altered & we can no longer continue to compete with the pitiful income the government pays us per transaction.example New pensioner bonds can not be purchased at a PO that National savings contract ceased but its available at Tesco.We turned away 100+customers wanting forms.perhaps it’s time the rumours ceased and lovely caring StMawes citizens listen understand why the pharmacy may close & show there support to its owner & thank them for the wonderful pharmacy they have provided.this will not have been a easy decision .Your pharmacy needs you to understand why.
St Mawes Pharmacy is a great facility offering far more than just dispensing pills. Together with the excellent Doctors’ practice we currently enjoy a fine, integrated service for our remote community which is just what the whole NHS is aiming to achieve. This must be maintained and the funding must never be removed.