A planning application to expand the medical care offered at Seafield Pharmacy in Ayr’s Blackburn Drive has been approved.
Proposals were in place for the pharmacy, which is combined with a post office and general store, to make alterations, extend the shop and change the use of a flat above the property.
The aim is to improve storage and help offer drop-in clinics for the likes of podiatry patients, administer flu vaccinations and give patients more privacy – with expanded consultation rooms.
In a supporting statement, Seafield Pharmacy/Seafield Stores said its application was prompted by "more demand" for medical services.
It said: “Seafield pharmacy has been trading now since 2012.
“At the time the business was set up, the space was adequate as it was a new business within a busy shop.
“However, since the pharmacy opened in 2012, the business has grown steadily, caring for the needs of the Seafield community and people out with the area.
“This growth by demand means that the space within the pharmacy and arrangements within the shop are no longer adequate. There is a need for storage, for increased privacy, for staff welfare areas and space to provide additional healthcare services to the Seafield community."
According to the submission, the pharmacy’s existing one consultation room is "small" and must be kept free for patients requiring privacy or "further consultation" with the pharmacist.
The report goes on: “The creation of a second consultation room would mean various clinics and drop-in services such a flu vaccination, podiatrist clinics and travel vaccinations could be offered to customers, some of whom find travel hard or distressing.”
The plan is to reinstate the original door into the shop to allow customers a “higher level of privacy” because the queueing system within the shop means there is potential for patient privacy to be “compromised.”
The statement goes on: “The entrance currently holds an ATM which demand for has dropped due to people using the post office to withdraw cash and the world going cashless.
“The intention is people could still access the pharmacy via the shop if they so wished with the creation of a door on the internal wall partition.”
Meanwhile, the plan also involves using the existing flat above, so that adequate storage levels can be fulfilled and allow staff’s welfare needs to be “more adequately met” and improved by giving them a “proper rest area” and toilet facilities.
A South Ayrshire Council planning paper said: “The premises will continue to operate as an interconnected pharmacy, post office and shop. It is not considered that the development shall result in an adverse impact on the vitality and viability of Ayr town centre."
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