Watch me present my petition calling for the reopening of Leatside Pharmacy

Yesterday, I presented a petition on behalf of the residents of Totnes and the surrounding areas about the closure of Leatside Pharmacy.

The pharmacy’s closure has had a significant impact on the community, leaving the town with only two pharmacies, one of which has accessibility challenges.

The Leatside Patient Group has done a superb job in highlighting the strength of feeling in the town about the pharmacy’s closure, with their petition amassing thousands of signatures.

Last week, I sent a letter to the Health Secretary regarding the closure. I await his response.

Leatside’s closure epitomises the challenges many rural pharmacies face. The existing funding model fails to account for the unique challenges created by operating in a rural area. It must be amended otherwise I fear pharmacy deserts could begin developing in areas like ours.

Recently, I pressed the Social Care Minister about this, and he confirmed the Government is looking into comprehensive reform in the pharmacy sector. I look forward to hearing more in the future.