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Bid for Methven pharmacy may result in withdrawal of GP service

Dr Paul O'Reilly, doctor at the Dr Hickey surgery, London.  Dr O'Reilly is also a priest.
Dr Paul O'Reilly, doctor at the Dr Hickey surgery, London. Dr O'Reilly is also a priest.

Relief that the controversial plan for a new pharmacy in Methven had been withdrawn has been short-lived.

It has transpired that the proposal has re-emerged, threatening the viability of the village’s existing GP surgery and dispensary.

The Methven surgery has provided GP assessment and prescription dispensing since it was absorbed by Perth’s Victoria Practice in 1990, but the doctors have consistently warned that this service was unlikely to continue unaltered if a new pharmacy was approved.

The withdrawal of the application to open a retail pharmacy in Methven two weeks ago was welcomed by campaigners and the surgery, but the plan and the repercussions that go with it have resurfaced.

“The application has now been re-submitted to Tayside Health Board, with a proposed opening date of June 1,” said a statement issued on behalf of doctors at Reid, McLeod, Shepherd, Sneddon, Foster and Matthews of the Methven Surgery.

“Tayside Health Board are not planning to canvas public opinion any further on this re-application.

“Once again we are faced with the prospect of losing our dispensing rights at the surgery, thus putting at risk the range of healthcare services currently provided for the local community.

“There is no doubt that the patients receive a better service under present arrangements than they would do under any credible alternative.

“If this application goes through, there may be no surgery open to serve the community. No need for a retail pharmacy either in that case.”