Brundall frustrated by frequent closures of its pharmacy

The Well Pharmacy, in The Street in Brundall, has been forced to temporarily close on several occasions in recent months.

It has left people having to travel further afield to collect medication, with the village GP surgery only able to dispense medication in certain circumstances.

Health bosses say the problem stems from the site frequently not being able to secure a pharmacist, meaning it often has to rely on locum workers.

However, when it can not arrange for locum cover, it is forced to close its pharmacy services.

Jan Davis, Green Party councillor for Brundall (Image: Archant)

Jan Davis, who represents Brundall on Broadland Council, said: "It is clear this is extremely frustrating for people in the village, many of whom are elderly and struggle to get about easily.

"This has been a concern for quite some time now and there does not seem to be a solution in sight due to a lack of planning in making sure there are enough qualified pharmacists."

A spokesman for NHS Norfolk and Waveney said: "We are aware that there have unfortunately been a number of temporary suspensions at the Well Pharmacy in Brundall.

"Contractually, pharmacies are allowed to temporary suspend services and Well Pharmacy have advised that they have, on occasion, been unable to secure a pharmacist to deliver services.

"Nationwide, it is recognised that there are workforce challenges around the number of qualified pharmacists and this is the case in Norfolk and Waveney.

"This is recognised as a priority area for improvement and NHS Norfolk and Waveney is developing its plans to increase training and development opportunities for healthcare professionals across the pharmacy team to reduce workforce pressures and the number of temporary suspensions."

Well Pharmacy, which runs the site in Brundall, has been approached for comment.