A new pharmacy is looking to open in a York suburb after its branch of Boots closed.
York’s independent pharmacy group, Citywide Health, is making plans to open a new pharmacy in Clifton.
The Boots branch closed on 17 February as part of the chain’s cull of shops.
The closure of first Lloyds on Intake Avenue, and then Boots on Clifton, has left residents of Clifton without a pharmacy and facing a minimum round trip of more than two miles to their nearest pharmacy.
Citywide Health has now answered a call for help from Clifton ward councillors.
Citywide Health’s director, Richard Harrison said: “It’s not acceptable to expect elderly or disabled patients to make long journeys to see a pharmacist or collect their medication.
“Some patients are really going to struggle and a lack of provision in Clifton risks creating serious health inequalities in the ward.”
Funding to community pharmacies was frozen by the government in 2015, while operating costs have risen by 40%. That has lead to the closure of over 1,800 community pharmacies.
Whilst Boots didn’t see a future in Clifton, Mr Harrison believes Citywide Health can survive in the area.
“The launch of the new Pharmacy First service means patients can access treatments such as antibiotics for sinusitis or urinary tract infections without needing to visit their GP,” he said.
“This service is proving to be really popular at our pharmacies, and over 150 patients have accessed this same day service so far this month.
“It’s a win-win situation; patients get quick access to treatment, and it reduces GP waiting lists.”
Coupled with a hypertension testing and a contraception supply service, Citywide Health says it has helped to save 15 days of GP time so far already this year.
Clifton ward Labour councillors Danny Myers and Margaret Wells launched a petition to highlight the need for a local pharmacy in Clifton, following the announcement of Boots’ closure.
Cllr Danny Myers said: “Whilst there will be immediate and obvious benefits to local residents, a new pharmacy in Clifton will have health benefits for the whole of York by helping reduce GP waiting times.
“Both Priory and York Medical Groups have surgeries in Clifton and there are fears that without a local pharmacy, the extra pressure on those surgeries would have a knock-on effect elsewhere in the city.”
Cllr Margaret Wells added: “It’s great to see that we’ve a local pharmacist willing to fill the gap left by the exit of a multi-national chain.
“We’re excited to be working with Richard and his team and are optimistic this will lead to the return of pharmacy services being available for Clifton residents once again”.
Citywide Health opened its first pharmacy in Haxby in 2010 and now has seven pharmacies located around York, dispensing more than 25% of prescriptions issued in the city.