An Exeter pharmacy that has been at threat of closure has abruptly been repossessed today leaving patients unable to pick up their prescriptions from the long-established provider.
Heavitree Health Centre, situated next door to GP surgeries South Lawn Medical Practice and The Heavitree Practice, has a ‘warning: notice of re-entry’ notice pinned to its door dated January 14. It states that the premises is the property of four GPs from the adjacent surgeries.
Solicitors Ashfords is named as the acting agent for the landlords. In the ‘take notice’ it says: “Any attempt to enter these premises without the written authority of the above-named landlord will result in criminal/ civil proceedings being taken.”
The health centre has been run by Allied Pharmacy which last summer submitted a consolidation application to the NHS to close it because it said it was no longer financially viable to keep it open due to ‘extortionate rent demands’. It operates a second pharmacy in Heavitree which is located on Fore Street and its application was to merge the two pharmacies.
Heavitree Health Centre, run by Allied Pharmacy, has closed
(Image: DevonLive)
It confirmed today that it has since retracted its application and claims that it has been evicted without notice and it had offered to pay the rent it owes. It added it is now concerned for the safety of patients.
Suhail Sharief, financial director at Allied Pharmacies, said: “The pharmacy has been forced to close by the landlord (the surgery). The lease was terminated without notice, even though the practice manager had said there would be one, and even though we tried to keep it open and offer to pay the rent arrears.
“We did not go ahead with the merger and had managed to get some external funding to keep both pharmacies open. We made that clear to the surgery, but instead there was no response to our compromise, and the lease was simply forfeitured and the locks changed.
“No one imagined the doctors would do this. It goes against the basic ethical priorities that we have, to have patients at the forefront of our decision making.
“In fact, there are many vulnerable patients, as was the surgery’s reason not to close the pharmacy, that need immediate support, such as blister packs etc, but we are not allowed back in to get the information and act accordingly. There is a significant chance someone will suffer as a result.
“We are trying everything to make sure no one suffers, but unfortunately we are being hindered by lack of access and support from the surgery.”
Attempts have previously been made to keep it open with separate petitions launched by a GP at South Lawn Practice, local residents and also Allied Pharmacy. However, it appears those efforts have so far not been able to save it.
A second notice on the pharmacy doors, and also posted on the surgeries websites has confirmed its ‘difficult’ decision to close it and has advised patients to find a new pharmacy for the ‘short term’. It has not confirmed what has happened to the staff employed there or when they were informed of the closure.
The closure notice reads: “The Heavitree Practice and South Lawn Medical Practice have had to make the difficult decision to lock the doors of the Allied Pharmacy that is attached to the Health Centre. To minimise the impact for all patients, we are working hard to contact all patients that are impacted.
“Please bear with us. We recommend picking a new pharmacy for the short term, contacting them, and asking them to download your prescription.
“If you have any issues with your prescriptions please contact Allied Pharmacy, 59 Fore Street Heavitree 01392 273121. We are disappointed at the loss of an on-site pharmacy and are working hard to remedy this.
“Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
The two notices at Heavitree Health Centre
(Image: DevonLive)
Heavitree Health Centre has served the local community for more than 20 years and serves more than 15,000 registered patients.
An online petition against merging the two pharmacies in Exeter was started by Dr Lucy Spriggs, a GP at South Lawn Practice and Heavitree resident, in July 2024. It was signed by more than 3,000 people.
It stated: “The Heavitree Health Centre is a critical part of our community, potentially providing pharmacy services to the 15,000 patients registered at both practices. The proposed consolidation could potentially disrupt the healthcare provision for these residents, robbing them of the convenience and accessibility offered by the centre’s central location.”
Campaigners opposed the merger because the location of the other Heavitree pharmacy on busy Fore Street is said to be problematic for disabled and vulnerable patients. The back entrance of the pharmacy can only be accessed via steps and the car park behind is designated for Co-op customers.
In September 2024, Allied Pharmacy launched an online petition stating its reasons for submitting the consolidation application. It was signed by more than 570 people.
Allied Pharmacy in Fore Street, Heavitree
(Image: DevonLive)
It stated: “At the start of July, we had to make the unfortunate decision to submit closure plans for the pharmacy due to the extortionate rent demands set by the adjoining surgery who own the building. These costs equate to almost £100,000 per year in rent, rates and service charges alone which is quite simply unattainable in the current climate.
“Since making this announcement, we have heard your frustration and understand your concerns regarding the impact that the closure of the pharmacy will have on your community. Please know that we share these concerns and do not want the pharmacy to close its doors to the 15,000 patients registered at the surgery or the 5,000 patients we serve.
“This is why, as a last attempt to keep our doors open, we have taken steps to open a petition for change. We are reaching out to you, our patients, and the local community, to help prevent the closure of yet another pharmacy by requesting that the building’s landlords (the surgery next door) agree to a fair rental value for the premises.
“This would, in turn, allow us to continue operating and serving the community, which is the outcome everyone wants. This is achievable with your help.”
South Lawn Medical Practice have been approached for a comment.