This morning, I met Karen McDowell, Chief Executive of the NHS Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board (ICB), to discuss pharmaceutical provision in the Burpham and Merrow area.
I voiced the concerns I have received from residents who have been understandably distressed at the inadequate state of their pharmaceutical services.
Karen confirmed that a pharmaceutical needs assessment, which normally occurs every three years to help the ICB analyse the needs of the local area, will be conducted earlier than usual in March 2025. Whilst I am pleased that this is being conducted at an earlier date, I raised my concerns that this would be after a difficult Winter period.
Following Boots’ interventions after my meetings with Marc Donovan OBE, Healthcare Development and Public Affairs Director, to support the capacity of the Epsom Road pharmacy, I asked Karen what barriers there are to securing extra pharmaceutical provision in Guildford. This is especially important to understand given the ICB rejected the proposal of Zohib Sheikh, a local pharmacist from Woking who recently applied to open a new pharmacy in Burpham.
To get the answers that the community deserves, I will be following up on these points with further discussions and will keep residents updated as the situation progresses.