Sole chemist refusing to take part in Sunday rota system in Enniscorthy – ‘there’s an onus on them to open’
Wexford PeopleA rota system designed to ensure there is at least one chemist open every Sunday in Enniscorthy is being stymied by one business which refuses to take part. This long-standing issue was once again raised by Councillor Jackser Owens at the March meeting of the Enniscorthy Municipal District (EMD).
“It’s very important we have one open every Sunday,” he said, “we have 25,000 people living in the district, some of them might not have available transport to go to Wexford on a Sunday for their prescription. People can get sick on a Sunday the same way they can get sick on any other day of the week. Even if they only opened for an hour it would be a great help.”
Upon Cllr Owen’s request, district manager Claire Lawless had contacted the local primary care centre to see if it could offer an solution to the problem. “They advised me that these (chemists) are private businesses and there’s no obligation on their part (to open), but I’m going to write to each of them individually about their rota system,” she said.
"The rota system is not working, one chemist is not taking part,” replied Cllr Owens.
Cllr Pat Kehoe surmised that, given the revenue generated by these businesses, chemists shouldn’t be able to decide whether to opt in or out of a rota system.
“There should be an onus on chemists to open, they’re receiving millions every year from the drug reimbursement scheme," he said.
Following the discussion, the councillors agreed to draft a motion requesting the HSE to intervene on this issue. That motion will be heard at the April meeting of Wexford County Council.