Highlands and Islands Labour MSPs, David Stewart and Rhoda Grant, have kept up the pressure on NHS Western Isles and the Scottish Government in recent days over the gravely unpopular Benbecula pharmacy application.
On learning that a Lay Member of the Pharmacy Practices Committee (Andrew Walker) was removed from the Committee by NHS Western Isles, David Stewart called on the Cabinet Secretary to again intervene and call a halt to the Benbecula application process. Mr Stewart also tabled a further PQ calling on the Cabinet Secretary to sanction a moratorium on applications where GP practices currently dispense. Rhoda Grant called on the Cabinet Secretary to offer interim guidelines to NHS Western Isles after being informed during Parliamentary Questions that amended regulations would be introduced as a result of the review that is currently being conducted. Mr Walker’s removal from the process was also criticised by Mrs Grant who was advised by the Cabinet Secretary that, if he had the power to call a moratorium, he would have done so and that, while he could not comment on individual applications, he would be happy to offer advice to NHS Western Isles if they contacted him.
David Stewart said “The fact that the Cabinet Secretary has advised that legislation on the granting of community pharmacy applications will change as a result of the ongoing review clearly illustrates that the current system is broken. Present regulations clearly need revamped and we need to look at how community pharmacy applications in areas where GPs currently offer dispensing services are dealt with.”
Rhoda Grant said “The fact that a Lay Member was removed from the decision making process because it was public knowledge he was a Member of the PPC flies in the face of transparency. Mr Walker committed to listen to the views of those who will be affected by this decision – this is right and proper – and having him removed from the PPC just adds to the many concerns that exist locally regarding this whole application process. I am pleased the Cabinet Secretary is fully abreast of the situation with the Benbecula application and I encourage NHS Western Isles to seek his advice on the best way forward in this case.”
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