Villagers campaign for high street pharmacy

Surrey villagers are campaigning to get a pharmacy back onto their high street.

Over 300 people have signed an online petition calling for Surrey County Council and the NHS to "recognise the need for a chemist in Thames Ditton".

Karen Randolph, who started the campaign, said pharmacies were hugely important to vulnerable members of society and that people were experiencing "significant difficulties" in getting medication.

A spokesperson from Surrey County Council said: "We recognise that local pharmacies play a significant role in supporting local communities, not just because of the services they deliver but also their contribution to community identity."

Although some pharmacies offer delivery services, Ms Randolph said it could not "compensate for a lack of a high street pharmacist".

"The problem is – when you can't get a GP appointment quickly or are waiting for a hospital appointment you are more likely to need an accessible local pharmacist," said the former councillor and current member of Thames Ditton and Weston Green Residents' Association.

There is a chemist on Thorkhill Road in Thames Ditton, but campaigners said it was not easily accessible for people with mobility issues.

Villagers said a local pharmacist would help give their parents or elderly neighbours their independence, as they would be able to go on their own rather than travel to Surbiton or Esher.

However, council documents say there is currently no need for any additional pharmacies in Surrey.

Drafts of the county's Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) – a document which looks at what local people want from a chemist and how this might change – states: "There are no pharmaceutical gaps in Surrey."

A council spokesperson said the Surrey PNA 2025 findings were based on a "robust and fair analysis of pharmaceutical needs across Surrey".

The draft PNA document is due to be presented to councillors on 19 March.

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