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Wiveliscombe and Milverton Surgeries » Patient Letter

Government Changes

Dear Patient,

Are you aware that this Government is considering changing the rules over where patients can get their medicines?

Under current rules:

• If you live more than one mile from a chemist, you can have medicines dispensed at the doctor’s surgery.
• You have a choice of surgery or chemist for dispensing.

This is particularly important for the elderly, disabled and those with transport difficulties.

The Government will be inviting patients to tell them what they think. To have your say please see below for details of who to write to.

What changes are being considered?

The Government says it may change the rules that regulate dispensing doctors (those whose surgeries give medicines to their patients).

The four options are:

• Option One: No change. This allows patients to have a say where their medicines are dispensed. We support Option One.
  
• Option Two: The local Primary Care Trust decide. This could remove doctor dispensing. We do not support Option Two.
  
• Option Three and Option Four: changes the existing rules. Instead of allowing Doctors to dispense to patients who live more than 1 mile from the chemist, this change will stop Doctors dispensing where the surgery is within a set distance (possibly 1.5Km) from the chemist. In practice this would end most doctor dispensing. We do not support Options Three or Four.
  

Your chance to have your say

If you wish to have the choice to receive medicines from your doctors’ surgery, rather than travelling to a pharmacy, please write in support of Option One to:

Gillian Farnfield
MPI – Community Pharmacy Policy
4th Floor, Skipton House
80 London Road
SE1 8LH

Or email: PWPCONS[at]dh.gsi.gov.uk

Important

Please make your views known through a letter or email – it is very important you let the Government know what you think, every response is counted.

It is important to express your personal view about being able to receive your medicines from your doctor. The Government wants to hear about your personal experience of being a patient of a dispensing practice, and what that means to you. Please copy your response to your local MP, Mr Jeremy Browne at:

Rt Hon Jeremy Browne MP
Masons House
Magdalene Street
Taunton TA1 1SG

Deadline

Please be sure to put your views across in time for the deadline of
20th November 2008

Further Information

For further details about the proposals please visit the surgery website

We very much appreciate your time and support.

Yours Sincerely,

The GP Partners
Lister House Surgery
Wiveliscombe
Taunton TA4 2PH