Lloyds Pharmacy at Sainsbury's Winnersh now closed
There has been a mixed reaction from residents across Wokingham Borough as Lloyds Pharmacy located in Sainsbury's supermarket in Winnersh, closed it's doors for the final time at the weekend.
The group is closing all 237 of its outlets in Sainsbury’s supermarkets amid fears of insufficient government funding for the industry and changing market conditions.
Nigel Swift, the deputy managing director of Phoenix UK, which owns the Numark and Rowlands pharmacy groups, said the Lloyds closures had to be a wake-up call for the government:
This announcement is the clearest possible sign of the dire situation facing community pharmacy in England as a result of insufficient government funding. Since the start of the pharmacy contract there has been a massive cut in real-term funding, resulting in hundreds of closures.
At a time when the NHS is in crisis, the community pharmacy network is needed more than ever before. These closures will put even more pressure on already overstretched nearby pharmacies and dilute patient access to essential healthcare services, particularly in deprived communities.”
Some Wokingham Borough residents were given prior notification from their local GP surgeries with advice to nominate a new pharmacy in the run up to the Winnersh closure, whilst others were not informed at all.
How do I collect my prescription now that Lloyds has closed?
1) If your prescription/s is sent electronically (which the majority are) you can visit any local pharmacy with your patient details to collect your medication.
The pharmacy will be able to find your prescription on their computer system using your details, and will be able to give you your medication if they have it in stock.
2)You can also change your nominated pharmacy via the NHS App, Patient Access or by contacting your local GP Surgery.
Not sure where your nearest pharmacist is? Enter your postcode to find a pharmacy near you, including high-street retailers, supermarkets and independent pharmacies, here.
We'd love to know your view and experiences at local pharmacies across Wokingham Borough. You can share your views here.