Concerns over the city’s health care facilities are being raised already following the clinical commissioning group’s decision to close walk-in services at Guildhall Walk back in July.
The owner of Lalys Pharmacy has written to local elected representatives, including Cllr Stephen Morgan, informing the CCG of the impact of their decision on local people and patients.
Earlier this year the CCG decided to make a number of changes to the popular health facility in the heart of Portsmouth which as well as providing GP services also offered walk-in facilities for residents, students and vulnerable people.
Concerned by the impact of the changes, Cllr Morgan led a campaign to help save the walk-in last Spring, with a petition submitted to the CCG to try and stop the developments. The petition received over 1,000 signatories and was backed by local pharmacists.
In the letter the pharmacy confirm:
“We have received a large number of complaints concerning the walk in centre moving and many patients we have seen are confused as to where they should now go to receive urgent primary care”.
Cllr Stephen Morgan said:
“I understand some patients are going straight to A&E at QA Hospital, rather than to the facilities at St Mary’s.
Like others, I am very concerned by the pressure this places on already stretched services at QA. It will only increase once the academic year starts again.
I urge the CCG to work look again at their decision and get this sorted”.
