News / Scott fears over Scalloway pharmacy
SHETLAND MSP Tavish Scott is once again wading into the row over the future of Scalloway health centre after a private firm applied to set up a pharmacy in the village.
When Norsepharm Ltd applied to establish a new chemist operation in Scalloway last year, the health centre set up put in their own application to maintain their existing pharmacy under the name Melby Health Ltd.
Concerns have been raised that if Norsepharm are given a licence to trade, the health centre would find it hard to continue to operate.
On Wednesday Mr Scott meets Scottish health minister Shona Robinson to ask her to allow NHS Shetland to consider both applications at the same time, to consider which would be the most beneficial for the health service in the area.
The MSP raised concerns about the minister’s attitude, saying she had initially said the applications could be considered at the same time and then “fudged” the issue after NHS Shetland said this was not possible.
NHS Shetland’s current plan is to consider the Norsepharm application first so that, if it is accepted, the merits of the rival application will not be considered.
Mr Scott said: “This backtracking by the minister from her previous clear advice is frustrating and hard to understand.
“It makes simple common sense for the two applications to be considered together. That way the one that is found to be best for the community can be chosen.
“I am not asking the minister to step in and intervene in the actual consideration of the applications. But I am seeking her help and asking her to advise NHS Shetland on the process.
“We need her to repeat her advice that the regulations which govern the process do not prohibit the sensible option of considering the applications together.
“I am sure that NHS Shetland want what is best for the community. I hope that a direct assurance from the minister that the regulations do not require separate consideration of the applications will give NHS Shetland the confidence to do what is best. That is to consider the applications together.”
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