A York pharmacy is to close and merge with another as higher costs put pressure on the sector.
Huntington Pharmacy, based at Huntington GP surgery on North Lane, will move into nearby Parkers Pharmacy at 61 North Moor Road.
Citywide Health, who operate eight pharmacies across York, took the decision to merge the two due to “economic pressures and lack of government funding for community pharmacies”.
Richard Harrison, director of Citywide Health, said “Government funding for community pharmacy has been frozen for seven years, while costs of operating the pharmacies have increased by 30%.
“The closure of Lloyds Pharmacy in Sainsburys at Monks Cross demonstrates the financial difficulties community pharmacies face, and merging our two pharmacies together onto one site is the only viable way to continue to be able to operate a pharmacy in Huntington.
“Patients will still see the same friendly faces from both pharmacies in the new merged pharmacy.”
He said there would be no job losses, adding that “the merger will help us better cope with the shortage of pharmacists caused by the recruitment of pharmacists into GP practices”.
Preparations for the move have included installing a new 24 hour medicine collection point at Parkers Pharmacy, so patients can collect their medication at whatever time suits.
Patients should continue to order their prescriptions as normal, and will be advised where to collect their medication from by text message.
A second consultation room has been added. That will enable the pharmacy to deliver Covid vaccinations, alongside its busy travel vaccination service.
Once the merger is complete, the opening hours will be extended to 8pm during the week and 1pm on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the move away from Huntington surgery will create additional consultation space and make GP appointments easier to access in the village.
Patients can register to use the 24hr medicine collection point by registering in the pharmacy or online here.