Stephen Dobbin says

Apparently he is their MSP. Surprise Surprise.

June Allison says

Millport didn't do anything wrong - except to fail to get our application for a Community Pharmacy to be located in the Garrison heard before Mr. Semple's.

Although there has not been any publicity, there are things going on in the background to try to ensure that the patients of Millport are still given a choice as to where they get their prescriptions filled.

Don't forget - voting with our feet is our right and our strength.

Tom McAulay says

So the secret society more commonly known as the SODS Committee, is indeed continuing to plot and scheme in the name of democracy.

This so called desire to give people choice is a complete distortion of the truth. Why doesnt the committee (or certain members thereof) just admit they want the community to boycott their local pharmacy to satisfy their own personal vendetta.

As for choice, what choice did patients have before that they will not have now?

Local people are indeed voting with their feet as ever increasing numbers are walking through the door of the pharmacy to obtain their medicinal supplies, advice from the pharmacist and a wide range of health related products previously unavailable on the island.

June Allison says

Oh dear Tom - secret society, personal vendettas? Do you not think that you have been watching rather more television than is good for your imagination?

Patient choice always has been - and always will be - paramount and we have always had the choice to have our prescriptions filled on the mainland. A choice which will be exactly the same after the Doctors Dispensary forced closure next year.

The only difference will be the number of us who will take advantage of that choice and how easy it can be made.

Tom of all the people who have commented on this subject on this forum - the only one who has a personal axe to grind - is YOU, and I really think you should declare your interest when posting so everyone knows just why you are so concerned about the future of the pharmacy.

And Tom - if as you say "Local people are indeed voting with their feet as ever increasing numbers are walking through the door of the pharmacy to obtain their medicinal supplies", why are you so concerned about it's future?

But then again Tom - to believe you we'd have to deny the evidence of our eyes and ears, wouldn't we?

Perhaps also you can also enlighten us all about what we can get from the pharmacy we couldn't get from our excellent Doctors Dispensary - apart from the scented candles that is?

Incidentally, I no longer represent the SODS or sit on the committee as you have previously been told, so you may care to apologise to them?

Tom McAulay says

By definition, 'things going on behind the scenes', away from public gaze and scrutiny are being done in secret.  

The choice for people to have prescriptions filled on the mainland will always exist. However because of the 'excellent Doctors Dispensery', I am sure that, until now, such a practice has not been actively encouraged. Given that one excellent service is being replaced by another of the same high quality on the island within the next few months, why would anyone wish to encourage others to use a mainland alternative instead? Is anyone involved with the clandestine 'behind the scenes' activities prepared to explain why?   

I've never expressed concern about the future of the pharmacy. However in light of the forthcoming closure of the surgery dispensery and the review of medical services people would do well to think about the future and the services they want to see retained on the island, including those of a pharmacy.

As for my interest in this or the additional services that, by definition, can only be provided by a pharmacy and not a dispensery, I have previously commented on both. My postings are here for anyone to read - unlike minutes from the SODS Committee or the PRG. I'd be interested to hear if either or both groups disassociate themselves from the 'behind the scenes' antagonists. 

Tom McAulay says

Not surprisingly the usual suspects are still unwilling to tell the people of Cumbrae what is happening in the review of thier medical services. It's incredible that the community has more information about the clean up of the duck pond (as laudible as that may be) than thier future health care.