One of the most deprived areas of York may be faced with vital pharmacy cuts under relocation plans.
Westfield ward councillors Emily Nelson and Joe Coles are raising the alarm about the potential ‘stealth’ cuts to out of hours pharmacy services in Acomb.
This comes after Averagedream Ltd have applied to relocate pharmacy services from one Acomb site to another.
Should plans go ahead, services from 101-103 Green Lane, Acomb, would be transferred to Wolds House, Cornlands Road, Acomb. The pharmacy on Green Lane would then close.
The closure would mean the loss of the existing Cornlands Road Priory Pharmacy licence, which protects out-of-hours services.
The Cornlands Road Pharmacy is open every evening, every weekend, and during key times over Christmas.
The transferred licence could mean hours were reduced to weekday daytimes only. That would leave the west of the city without late night and evening provision.
After Cllrs Nelson and Coles raised the issue, the chair of the council’s health and wellbeing board has written in objection to the proposal on these grounds.
Needle exchange
Concerns have also been raised about the loss of the needle exchange and supervised consumption for vulnerable residents.
The councillors have launched an online petition for residents to have their say on evening and weekend pharmacy provision.
Cllr Emily Nelson said she was “extremely concerned” to learn Westfield ward residents could potentially lose their out-of-hours pharmacy services.
She said: “Ours is the most deprived ward in the City of York Council area with significant numbers of residents dealing with poverty, and with complex medical needs requiring regular medication.
“Many local residents have no access to their own transport so access to a local pharmacy out of hours is vital.”
Cllr Jo Coles added: “Emily and I have set up a petition for local residents to share their frustrations about this and have submitted our own strong objections about this significant loss of local pharmacy provision, which seems to be being pushed through without a proper or meaningful consultation of local people.”
We have contacted Averagedream Ltd to ask for its response.