1. Is it fair to say that this jeopardises healthcare provision in Creech or rather enhances it?
2. Are residents aware that Boots have submitted an application to open a pharmacy in Taunton that would preclude most villagers from using the Doctor’s dispensary anyhow? As most villagers would live within the stipulated one mile radius from Boots, are they aware that this choice will no longer exist for them?
3. Would it not be better therefore to support a local independent village pharmacy offering free delivery or do Creech residents fancy travelling into Taunton to collect their prescriptions? Please think carefully about this as it affects almost everybody in CSM!
ps. We could always co-locate the pharmacy and new surgery and the pharmacy would then pay rent to the doctors and provide a thoroughly first class and viable alternative. Come on Parish Council, try to use your! Imagination on this one rather than fearing change (it’s coming anyway).
Max Punni, Merriott
1. how can it enhance sevices when there is already a pharmacy within the current gp surgery. what extra would you supply?
2i can not seem to see any planning application within taunton deane council whereby boots are applying to open a pharmacy within the area. could you provide more details so as ican see these plans and where they are planning to build/open this pharmacy. Also why would you want to open a pharmacy in competition with a new Boots store as this would surely affect your profits
3.what numbers do you have to support your statement that ‘MOST’ villagers will have to travel to taunton if boots open their pharmacy
4.how do you propose to pay rent to the surgery when they are already going to be tenents themselves and would not be able to sublet
By using my imagination i can see that the already 1st class service we receive from the pharmacy within the surgery would disappear along with the attentive, popular and familiar dispensers would lose their jobs
i await any reply to these well thought out concerns
Comment by louise — June 8, 2010 @ 3:11 pm
Oh dear. I don’t think you’ve understood the difference between a dispensary and a pharmacy. I commend your passionate argument but sadly it is built on a weak foundation. Please check your facts again carefully.
Comment by Max Punni — July 6, 2010 @ 12:50 pm
I`ve always understood that Creech st Michael is situated 3 miles from Taunton.
Whereis the area n Taunton are boots intending to build their new pharmacy within 1 mile of Creech st Michael??.
We already have a perfectly good dispensary at our gp surgery,which is perfect and convenient for patients to order repeat prescriptions or pick up new prescriptions after their appointments without the need to visit another premises.
We also have a well stocked shop which provides most other “over the counter” goods which would be available in a chemist shop.
I believe that competion to the village shop might be detrimental to it`s future.
If the pharmacy goes ahead,and results in the new medical centre not being built,I`d rather drive to Taunton to get my prescriptions sorted than support the business that ruined a brilliant gp surgery!
Comment by pete austin — July 30, 2010 @ 10:55 pm
No Sir, please check again, 3 miles is an exaggeration I’m afraid. You may contact the PCT for the precise location of the Boots store. Under the Freedom of Information Act they must divulge information on this application to you. “Most” over the counter medicines once again is a gross overestimation I’m afraid. Go in and ask them for some head lice lotion, athlete’s foot cream, a large bottle of Calpol, anusol suppositories, Nurofen Plus pain killers, an emergency supply of asthma medication, a box of 32 paracetamol or 100 aspirin for thinning the blood or 32 co-codamol for pain relief. I’m afraid your enquiries will draw a blank on every occasion. These are very common purchases and routinely made by members of the public (although perhaps not you yourself Sir). Neither the dispensary nor the village shop would be able to assist you here as these items can only legally be bought from a registered pharmacy. You are always free to choose to use another pharmacy Sir, that is your lawful prerogative, but then you might just as well do your weekly shop at Sainsbury’s because they have a pharmacy there too!
Comment by Max Punni — August 19, 2010 @ 3:21 pm