The St Mawes Pharmacy has signed the Local Pharmaceutical Service Contract with the NHS Commissioning Board (NHS England). This means public funding will continue and, although the contract does not offer the full range of benefits provided for under the previous one, the Pharmacy and its staff can nevertheless continue to provide the high level of accessible care the community has come to rely upon.

In February, Sallie Eden reported for Roseland Online on the public meeting held in response to concerns surrounding the imminent ending of the National Small Pharmacy Scheme and fears that, without a continuation of NHS funding, St Mawes Pharmacy would be forced to close.

At the meeting, representatives from the relevant arm of NHS England acknowledged that the Pharmacy had an important role in our community, which is unique because of its location and demographics. The comments from the huge number of people attending the meeting showed just how vital the service is to this relatively isolated area.

Hundreds of residents, local workers and holidaymakers signed a petition supporting the Pharmacy which showed the extraordinary level of backing for the high level of care provided by the pharmacist, Faisel Baig, and his staff had.

Faisel told Sallie for Roseland Online, “I want to thank all those who supported us, for their help and friendship. This has been a very stressful time for me, for my staff and for our customers, so I am extremely pleased we now have some certainty. I want everyone to know we couldn’t have done it without them.”

On hearing the news, Chairman of St Just in Roseland Parish Council, Keith Warren, said “The Parish Council fully supported the continuation of the service and so I’m very pleased that funding is to continue for this valuable community amenity.”

The pharmacy is celebrating with free chocolates and have promised locals can now look forward to a “high quality care for all, now and for future generations”.