What we're hearing about pharmacy provision in Thames Ditton
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Local residents and community groups were concerned about the negative impact which the closure of Boots Pharmacy on Thames Ditton High Street was having/will have on their community and shared these concerns with Healthwatch Surrey. They decided to investigate further and held engagement events and ran a survey. They spoke to 211 people.
Residents value the service and clinical expertise which their local pharmacy can provide, but many don’t feel able to travel to get this.
Travel distance from home is the most important factor for people when visiting a pharmacy, but this is more complex than a crude mileage value – people need to be able to walk or have reliable / accessible / affordable public transport options.
The closure of Boots in Thames Ditton has left many people without a pharmacy in walking distance. This has had a significant impact on local residents, but it has particularly affected people who are less mobile and need regular medication (many of whom are elderly), those with young children and those with financial concerns.
Many of those affected are not online, and therefore their voices may not be heard as part of the insights gathering being undertaken by the PNA steering committee.