Hope for solution to pharmacy shortage 'crisis'

An additional retail unit would be added at Broxburn Road in Warminster for the pharmacy

Plans for a permanent pharmacy unit have been submitted in a town previously described as being in "crisis" following recent pharmacy closures.

There have been concerns about a lack of pharmacy provision in Warminster, Wiltshire, since 2023 when a branch of Boots closed.

Town mayor, Stacie Allensby, said: "We're very positive - it's something that really needs to happen and hopefully it will happen as quickly as it can."

Wiltshire Council is expected to make a decision on the application by the end of April.

In May 2024, Warminster Town Council wrote to the chief executive of the Integrated Care Board, describing the shortage of pharmacy provision as a "crisis".

Councillors reported that people had been struggling to get prescriptions and were enduring long waits, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"We had extensive queues - people were queueing out of doorways, round corners, some were over two hours long," said Allensby.

She said the situation had improved after discussions with Boots meant the remaining branch in the town was able to cope better and that a permanent solution would help with an increase in people requiring the services.

"We are having new houses being built every day," she said.

"It's more towards the west end of town, where the new estate is being built. It will allow people not to have to come all the way into town."

If successful, the permanent facility would replace the temporary pharmacy unit on Broxburn Road.