PATIENTS living within a mile of the doctors surgery in Buckden can no longer use the surgery s one-stop-shop to collect their medicines. Instead, they can take prescriptions to a new pharmacy that opened in the village last week. But there is no threat

PATIENTS living within a mile of the doctors' surgery in Buckden can no longer use the surgery's one-stop-shop to collect their medicines.

Instead, they can take prescriptions to a new pharmacy that opened in the village last week.

But there is no threat to dispensing jobs at the surgery, the medics have assured staff.

"The impact is primarily on patients," Dr Paul Goodwin told The Hunts Post - "fortuitously".

Although the surgery can continue to dispense until May, jobs are safe because one of the part-time dispensers had decided to leave and will not be replaced.

After that, villagers needing prescriptions can use the new facility in Buckden Mini-Market in Hunts End, run by pharmacist Asghar Karim.

But Mr Karim stressed that he will also be able to supply non-prescription medicines to patients, which the surgery cannot do.

He also promised a delivery service for repeat prescriptions, which he will collect from the surgery, dispense and take to patients' homes - with their groceries.

He said the new pharmacy was "doing brilliantly" in its first week, attracting custom from a variety of surrounding villages, including the Offords, Grafham, Ellington and Southoe.

The new pharmacy also has a consulting room where patients can discuss their medical problems confidentially.

Mr Karim said he had put initial local opposition to the new facility behind him.

"It is not a financial threat to the surgery, and there was a need for a pharmacy open to all in a convenient location.