A public petition signed by 849 residents to save M W Philips Chemist in Binley Woods was presented by local MP Mark Pawsey.
The petition calls on NHS England to reverse their decision to withdraw the Local Pharmaceutical Services contract from the pharmacy. The decision, which local residents have said is deplorable, would mean that the nearest pharmacies for Binley Woods and nearby villages would be in Warwickshire Shopping Park in Binley or at Brandon Road in Binley. Both of these are far more challenging for residents in Binley Woods to access, especially for older people or those without the use of a car.
The petition has also been supported by Binley Woods Parish Council, who have rallied support for M W Phillips Chemist and highlighted the importance of the pharmacy to residents in Binley Woods. In particular, for many of the elderly residents of Binley Woods the services provided by M W Phillips Chemists are a lifeline in terms of medical care and treating minor ailments.
Following Mark’s presentation of the petition, it will go to the Department for Health and Social Care for a formal response.
After presenting the petition, Mark said:
“Recent months have underlined, perhaps more than ever before, just how important local health services are, which is why it is extremely concerning that NHS England have taken the decision to withdraw M W Phillips’ contract at the end of the year. This pharmacy serves over 3,000 local residents in Binley Woods, many of whom are elderly, and is an important part of the community, providing primary care and an important community hub.”
Mark continued:
“After the concerns of Binley Woods Parish Council were raised with me, I immediately wrote to Sir Simon Stevens, the Chief Executive of NHS England to ask that this decision be reconsidered. I am very disappointed that NHS England has not acknowledged the importance of the services provided by M W Phillips to residents of Binley Woods, and this is a matter I will be continuing to raise with my colleagues in Government.”
Paul Salisbury, Chair of Binley Woods Parish Council added:
"Binley Woods is a rural village which relies on the local pharmacy for all their minor health and wellbeing needs. The Pharmacist knows everybody in the community by first name and what their needs are. During this pandemic, these needs have become the lifeline between people and health care. Doctors are not seeing patients, so getting advice from a professional pharmacist is the only option for many residents. In particular, the elderly population relies heavily on this facility which has provided much care and advice to the community.”
