The opening of the new pharmacy follows a year-long campaign, involving Hampton residents, local councillors, MPs and Healthwatch Richmond
A new pharmacy is set to open in Tangley Park, Hampton, following the closure of two Boots pharmacies last autumn, which had left residents without essential pharmacy services.
Twickenham MP Munira Wilson has welcomed the news, describing it as a great relief for Hampton residents and expressing satisfaction that their concerns about the service gap have been addressed.
This opening of the new pharmacy follows a year-long campaign by Munira, local councillors and Healthwatch Richmond who have been highlighting the impact of community pharmacy closures in the Hampton area.
"This news will come as a huge relief to local residents in Hampton, whose lives and health had been impacted by the lack of access to a local pharmacy.
"I'm glad that our calls to address the gap have been heeded, and Hampton residents will finally get the local pharmacy services they need and deserve,” Munira said, as quoted by Teddington Nub News.
Munira has consistently addressed this issue in Parliament and brought it to the attention of Boots, local health service leaders, and other organisations.
In an adjournment debate in Parliament in July, Munira expressed concerns that the closure of the Boots pharmacies in Tangley Park and Priory Road in autumn 2023 had significantly impacted elderly and vulnerable residents, while also placing additional strain on the nearest remaining pharmacies.
She cited a reduction in pharmacy funding, which has decreased by around 30 per cnet since 2015, as a key factor contributing to these closures, exacerbated by considerable workforce challenges and shortages in medicine supply.
The MP urged the government to review community pharmacy funding and reconsider the regulations governing new pharmacy applications to address the existing gaps in services.
Munira stressed the necessity of supporting community pharmacies to ensure access to medicines, clinical services and medical advice for residents, especially given the ongoing shortage of GP appointments and the strain on other healthcare services.
Healthwatch Richmond, which has been actively campaigning for a year for the resolution of the pharmacy issue in Hampton, has also confirmed the news.
“A new pharmacy opening has finally been approved in Hampton! We are delighted to hear that the residents' voices have been heard,” the committee said in a video.
However, the specifics regarding the new pharmacy and its opening date have not yet been disclosed.
