MP Sarah Sackman is campaigning for the on site service to be replaced reports David Floyd
The health body that runs Finchley Memorial Hospital has said it has “no further options available” to extend the contract for the hospital’s pharmacy.
Earlier this week, Finchley and Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman launched a campaign to protect pharmacy services at the hospital following news that the current Fairview pharmacy would close at the end of this month.
This is due to the pharmacy’s contract with North West London Integrated Care Board (ICB) not being renewed.
In her letter, Sackman said: “The on-site pharmacy is another vital service provided at the hospital. Those who visit the hospital regularly depend on the convenience of using it.
“The specific services offered and the integration with the hospital cannot be replicated elsewhere. Barnet Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board has assessed that the closure will mean there is a gap in local provision.”
In a statement, she added: “Every day, patients leave the Urgent Care Centre and walk-in services with prescriptions that need to be dispensed immediately. The ability to collect medication before leaving the hospital is an obvious benefit to patients, reduces delays to treatment and avoids unnecessary additional journeys.
“I struggle to understand how removing that service can possibly be considered an improvement in access to healthcare.
“The alternative pharmacies listed on the closure notice are not a realistic substitute for many members of our community.”
Barnet Post understands that, while the ICB was not actively seeking to close the Fairview pharmacy, it had originally been commissioned in 2013 under a specific type of contract designed to meet particular local needs.
As a result, it was not part of the main national framework for NHS community pharmacies and therefore its contract could not be extended unless the ICB could provide proof of exceptional need.
Responding to Sackman’s campaign, Louise Coughlan, the ICB’s chief pharmacist told the Post: “We understand the concerns raised by local residents and by Sarah Sackman MP regarding the closure of Fairview Pharmacy at Finchley Memorial Hospital.
“Having already extended the contract as far as we were able, unfortunately there were no further options available.
“We undertook a review of local pharmacy provision and services and assessed the need for services in the area.
“This identified nine alternative pharmacies within a one-mile radius, with sufficient capacity and range of services to meet the needs of local people.
“We have a responsibility to make decisions based on local need and to ensure public money is invested responsibly, to deliver value and achieve the greatest benefit for local residents.
She added: “We would welcome any applications to open a pharmacy on this site, or close by, through the established process that all community pharmacies follow.”
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