Funding for GP practices could also be under threat as a result.

The Department of Health is consulting on plans to reform pharmaceutical services which could lead to the closure of dispensaries at doctors' surgeries throughout the area.

At present, patients who live more than a mile from a chemist are able to obtain their prescriptions from their doctors' surgery.

But the Government is considering allowing Northumberland Care Trust to decide whether the pharmacy service should continue and changing the rules so that only doctors who are more than a certain distance from a chemist may dispense.

Dr David Gill, of Belford Medical Practice, said there is no guarantee its pharmacy would be saved under the first option and it would close it under the second proposal.

This would mean people will be forced to travel further and potentially make another journey if the chemist was closed or not dispensing.

The practice wants the current arrangements retained.
Dr Gill said in a letter to patients: "We believe it is important that our patients can continue to have the choice to get their medicines at our surgery.

"We think it should be your choice where you get your medicines and it is particularly important for the elderly, disabled and those with transport difficulties to continue to get their medicines from the surgery."

At the practice in Belford, which also operates the branch surgery in Seahouses and in total covers 200 square miles, half of the patients are eligible to obtain drugs from the surgery.
Dr Gill said a recent survey showed that patients are satisfied with the current arrangements.

And he said the closure of the dispensing service could have an impact on the rest of the practice as profits from the pharmacy pay for additional staff.

Dr Gill said: "We would certainly have to look at provision of care if the pharmacy closed. I don't think we would have to close a branch surgery but we would have to look at staffing levels.

"It's the patients who will suffer if the service is withdrawn and it's essential that we lobby them and do as much as we can.

"This is a real threat to dispensing doctors and patients. The practice is writing to patients asking them to give their views on the Pharmacy White Paper.

Currently, eight out of the 11 GP practices in north Northumberland dispense medicines.

Sir Alan Beith MP said: "There is no current threat to the doctors' dispensing service at Belford. It obviously makes sense for people to respond to the consultation on future rules by stressing how much they value the dispensing service provided by the Belford doctors.

"The recent experience of the local community giving its views on the potential removal of pharmacy service from the GP practice at Widdrington has shown that the system is not good enough at responding to the views of local communities.

"I will ensure that any comments I receive on this subject are passed on to the Minister."

A spokesman for the Department of Health said it would welcome as many views as possible: "The Pharmacy White Paper presented an opportunity to look again at the procedures relating to dispensing by GPs with an open debate.

"The consultation now underway sets out four possible options for reform. The Department has no preferred route. We will look at any changes only in the light of wider proposals to reform the way in which PCTs control market entry."

How to comment
PEOPLE wishing to give a view about being able to obtain drugs at their doctor's surgery should write to: Gillian Farnfield, MPI – Community Pharmacy Policy, 4th Floor, Skipton House, 80 London Road, SE1 6LH or email: PWPCONS@dh.gsi.gov.uk
Respondents are also being requested to write to Sir Alan Beith MP at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA or email berwicklibdems@yahoo.co.uk
The practice is willing to forward batches of letter to the Government.
The deadline for comments is Thursday, November 20. For more information visit www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_087324?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=171238&Rendition=Web