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THE BRAUNTON EXPRESS

August 2022

Braunton Pharmacy by Cllr Graham Bell

As most readers of EX33 know, until August 2019 Braunton had two pharmacies. A traditional village pharmacy and a dispensary attached to the GP surgery. Unfortunately, three years ago the village pharmacy closed resulting in the vast majority of customers being diverted to the smaller dispensary. Braunton Parish Council have been involved in this issue from the moment that the pharmacy closed. Unfortunately, despite our efforts, and the efforts of many local people to improve this situation we remain in a parlous situation. Long waits are not uncommon and the dimunitive site of the pharmacy means that customers have been forced to queue for long periods in freezing cold or blazing heat.

The current pharmacy does an amazing job, but it is not built to accommodate the needs of over 12,000 people who may require urgent medicines and other services.

Currently, Devon County Council are revising their assessment of pharmaceutical needs for all of Devon. Unfortunately, although many villages and towns across Devon are in a similar state the revised report suggests that there is no gap in the pharmacy provision in Braunton or North Devon. This creates a significant problem as while there is “no gap”, it would be very difficult for an alternative pharmacist to open a site in the area and it does not give any impetus for the existing pharmacy to consider expanding or finding a better method to serve its customer base.

Sadly, the picture painted by the County Council has very little relation to the lived experiences of long delays, reduced services, medicine unavailability and our pharmacy staff have to work under all that pressure. I must stress (once again) that the staff working in our pharmacy are exceptional and are working hard to improve the customer side situation. I am always amazed at how courteous and helpful they are despite always seeming to be under more and more pressure.

My personal thanks to the entire team.

The Parish Council will continue to work on this matter and welcome any input that might help relieve the situation. Currently, I am writing to the County Councillors who form the Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee (including our own Pru Maskell) in the hope that they will take action when they meet on the 13th September.

Devon Council are currently holding an online consultation regarding the pharmacy needs in Devon. I would urge people to give their opinions (https:// tinyurl.com/MedsBrau). As I know that many people are not on the internet I would be happy to speak with anyone who wants to ensure that their voice is heard on this matter.

Braunton Parish Council

Chaloners Road Braunton Devon, EX33 2ES

Phone: 01271 812131 Email: info@brauntonparishcouncil.gov.uk Web: www.brauntonparishcouncil.gov.uk Facebook.com/BrauntonParishCouncil Twitter: @brauntonparish Hours: 09.00 - 12.00 Monday - Friday

Meetings Calendar 2022

Full Council meetings are currently being held in the Parish Hall and additional meetings, to primarily consider planning applications, are currently being held virtually. Please note the change of day of the Full Council meetings. 7pm Tuesday 9 August 2022 7pm Monday 22 August 2022

Tracey Lovell, Clerk to the Council Angela Corner, Senior Council Officer