Andrew Griffith (Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Arundel and South Downs) has welcomed today’s appeal decision to allow The Arundel Pharmacy inclusion in the NHS Pharmaceutical List. This has come after a long process of application for owner Martin Chisanga who had received the full support of Andrew in the time when he was the Arundel MP up until the current election, and from the Arundel Town Council and hundreds of residents.
Today’s decision notice from Jon Whitfield KC, Committee Chair of NHS Resolution, stated that ‘the Committee determined that the application should be granted’, overturning the initial decision by the NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board.
Andrew officially opened the pharmacy on 27th January 2023 having backed the local campaign for a second pharmacy in the town. He welcomed Martin and Debbie Chisanga to Arundel and together with Arundel Town Council, has been a strong source of support to them ever since.
Andrew has continuously campaigned for an NHS licence to be granted building on work done previously by residents Colin Stepney and June Barker. Immediately prior to the opening, Andrew wrote to the Chief Executive Officer of NHS Sussex to ask him to accelerate applications for pharmacists wishing to be added to the NHS Prescribing List and asking for their backing to the Arundel Pharmacy application. He also launched an online petition to gather support and views. The feedback from residents supported his detailed letter of representation to the NHS Board. Andrew also wrote to local members of the Health and Wellbeing Board and NHS South East Community Pharmacy to gather as much support as possible.
The NHS’s initial decision in October 2023 was to refuse permission. This prompted Andrew to write to NHS Resolution to make them aware of the ‘immense local ill will’, highlighting concerns about the process and decision. Permission to appeal the decision was then given.
Today’s decision is an important next step in being granted a full licence which now needs to be approved by NHS Sussex Commissioners.
Arundel Pharmacy has filled a gap of almost 20 years since Arundel high street had a pharmacy. As a fully licenced NHS prescriber, Martin Chisanga will be able to alleviate the burden on the busy GPs by providing clinical advice, as well as issuing over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses under the Pharmacy First programme introduced by the government earlier this year. The shop also stocks a range of personal care products and general medicines.
Andrew Griffith said:
“The Arundel Pharmacy has always had my full support because I have long believed there is room for two NHS pharmacies in Arundel, especially with pharmacists now able to do so much more than just dispensing medicines. They can offer vital health checks, flu and covid jabs, and alleviate the burden on the busy GPs by providing clinical advice. It is also what the local community wanted as well as Martin Chisanga. I am delighted by today’s decision.”
