Thanks to Sue Birch for sharing this latest news on behalf of the Residents Association for Brading (BRAG). Ed
Despite the best efforts of BRAG, many residents of Brading, our MP, Councillors and others, NHS England has turned down the appeal against their refusal to allow us a pharmacy in Brading.
We understand that there is no further avenue we can pursue to have this decision reversed. It is hoped that when the next Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) is due, that the evidence submitted by residents and visitors to the town this time, in support of a Pharmacy in Brading, is not once again ignored.
It is hoped the PNA does not become common knowledge after the event, as it was in this case.
No choice for Brading residents
The report repeatedly says that Brading Residents have choice, how can having no Pharmacy in the town amount to us having choice? For example, look at the choice within Sandown – residents there have the choice of four Pharmacies!
One example, of which there are many, is of residents with poor physical health, their only means of getting out and about is by mobility scooter, these users, have to stay local.
The access Pharmacies in Sandown / Ryde is impossible, the roads/ footpaths are unsuitable, the distance for scooter battery life, inclement weather conditions, and, you cannot take mobility scooters on the bus! This just renders choice as impossible. This type of resident does not have a ‘choice’.
Decision ignored views of residents
The decision totally disregarded the views, and overwhelming support, for a Pharmacy in Brading from the local residents and have relegated this very important contribution to the process, as an irrelevance!
BRAG fails to understand why, at least, a public hearing was not convened to allow residents of Brading to put forward their views to the committee.
Award for reablement service
Recently it has been announced that The Pharmacy Reablement Service led by the IOW NHS Trust, with Pinnacle Health Partnership LLP has been shortlisted for a award. This is a service to support people with poor physical and mental health to better manage their medicines.
BRAG is not decrying the value of this service, but fails to understand why when Brading residents wrote to the appeal giving examples of their types of difficulties, which, in some cases are similar to the those described within the PRS, have to question why their concerns were totally ignored in comparison.
Committed to improving provision
We’re very sorry that those who currently have difficulty accessing pharmaceutical services will not have the situation improved in the near future, but BRAG is committed to try to improve community pharmaceutical provision in our area.
Our thanks go to everyone who supported the appeal by signing the petitions left in local business premises and writing to the Appeal of their own volition. I think we did all that we could but, sadly, to no avail, it fell on deaf ears!
The refusal notice is embedded below. Click on the full screen icon to see a larger version
Article edit
Headline amended to read NHS England rather than IW NHS.
