RESIDENTS are facing round trips of up to 22 miles to collect prescriptions following a sudden decision to close a village dispensary without consultation.

There are fears the closure of the service at St John’s Chapel in Upper Weardale on Friday, October 27, is a “nail in the coffin” for the doctor’s surgery itself.

It is understood Upper Weardale residents will no longer be able to pick up repeat prescriptions or medicines prescribed during appointments at the surgery. Instead they will have to elect an alternative pharmacy, the nearest of which is in Stanhope- a 14 mile round trip from St John’s Chapel and even further from places like Wearhead.

Many affected are elderly and do not drive, and cuts to bus service mean some people will struggle to access alternative pharmacies.

A delivery service is being made available but many residents do not know how this works or what the cost is.

Resident Joan Emerson, 81, said the lack of consultation and short notice was terrible, adding: “It’s going to make things difficult. The bus to Stanhope isn’t going to wait for you. You will be stuck there for an hour waiting for the next one.”

In a letter sent out last week, the Weardale Practice attributed the decision to circumstances beyond its control.

When asked to expand on this by The Northern Echo, the partners said they were “equally disappointed and frustrated” but wanted to collate all of the queries before replying.

“We want to ensure that we address as many concerns as possible, so we are therefore drafting a full response which will be sent out by Thursday, October 19. We want to clarify that we are very much committed to our patients and providing the highest standards of care that we can.”

County councillor John Shuttleworth has written to the practice voicing his “total opposition” to the closure.

“I have been contacted by many people over the weekend, and they feel that this is the last straw, and have been let down by the NHS. This decision must be reversed. I am not prepared to see Upper Weardale residents given a second class service.”

Others expressed their concerns on Facebook, with Greg Round asking: “Is this a nail in the coffin for our surgery?”