The NHS has approved the consolidation of Mortimer’s two pharmacies, with the Little Village Pharmacy in West End Road becoming the village’s sole outlet.
The committee considered 26 public objections and comments from West Berkshire’s Health and Wellbeing Board. Although the Board didn’t feel that the proposal would create a significant gap in provision, it felt access would be worse for some residents, particularly those without a car.
Local concerns included the loss of evening and Sunday opening and pressure on parking and traffic. The NHS committee said it had considered those concerns but concluded that the reduction in service did not create the type of gap that would justify refusal. It made little mention of the parking concerns or the effect of losing evening and Sunday provision. The pharmacy says its new opening hours, effective from 10 August, will be:
Monday to Friday: 9.00am–6.30pm
Saturday: 9.00am–4.00pm
No lunchtime closure
Sunday: closed
The owners says they will review the hours every six months based on demand and patient feedback. They invite feedback at: [email protected]