My mother, like many others, is only able to attend Middlestown Health Centre when I take time out from work to take her there.
Being self-employed I say when I take time off work. Others do not have that luxury or capacity.
Being unable to walk far and an insulin-dependent diabetic, the doctor's pharmacy delivers my mother's medication every four weeks (insulin being a necessity, as is her other medication).
She has a review every three months and I take her to the health centre on that occasion.
Having such care is vital to people like my mother and it ensures that someone from Middlestown Health Centre sees my mum, and keeps an eye on her medical welfare every four weeks.
The literal meaning of pharmacy is 'the preparation and dispensing of drugs; a pharamcist's shop or dispensary'. Middlestown Health Centre fulfils this role completely.
While I am not averse to Middlestown Pharmacy (freedom of choice and the freedom and right to trade) I would point out the difference is that Middlestown Pharmacy sells a wide range of items over and above drugs – make-up, shampoo etc.
Middlestown Health Centre provides only drugs (being a pharmacy). There is room for both. If not, then why not?
It cannot be because of a shortage of money.
Did the PCT not think of that when providing means for a new health centre with provision for a pharmacy – or did that decision come from government?
Why are we paying such large salaries to people who lack such forward thinking?
On the other hand, the new health centre was greatly and sorely needed, as was the pharmacy department contained both in the old surgery and the new medical centre.
Middlestown Health Centre has always provided prescribed medication for its patients, and a delivery service if you were not mobile.
It is time the government, its departments and the NHS (PCT) got their respective acts together and started working for the people and not for themselves.
Stop wasting money and give the people what they want – our existing pharmacy for the patients of the health centre and and the freedom of choice for those who want to shop at Middlestown Pharmacy.
Glynnis Newboult,
The Crescent, Netherton