A NEW pharmacy which will serve people in the Musselburgh area could be opened on Newcraighall Road.

Lindsay & Gilmour Pharmacy would feature an NHS Pharmacy First service and collection point robot that would allow patients to collect prescriptions 24 hours a day.

The family-run independent pharmacy chain is awaiting a decision from the Pharmacy Practices Committee, a committee of the health board, which holds a hearing to either approve or decline the application.

Kirstin Bowden, area manager, said that, if approved, the pharmacy would provide all the standard NHS services, including an NHS Pharmacy First service, which allows patients to access advice and appropriate treatment for minor illnesses and common health complaints without the need for a GP appointment.

Appointments are not required as it is a walk-in service, she added.

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Miss Bowden added: “In addition, we will be providing a free delivery service, blister pack provision, services to care homes and a range of private services that include various vaccination services, Tympa ear irrigation and screening, blood testing services and health check services.

“We also hope to have an independent prescribing pharmacist on site and a collection point robot that would allow patients to collect prescriptions 24 hours per day.”

Miss Bowden said: “The location of our premises is unique in that it actually crosses boundaries with three different local authority areas: East Lothian, Edinburgh City and Midlothian.

“The largest area of population we expect to provide service to is in the area of East Lothian, which covers the area from the A1 to Musselburgh High Street.”

She said that the new pharmacy would serve the public in areas west of Musselburgh High Street, including Monktonhall, Newhailes, Queen Margaret University, Stoneyhill, Stoneybank and Clayknowes.

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Miss Bowden added: “We would hope to be open within three months of the application being approved.

“Unfortunately, I can’t say exactly when this is likely to happen as the application process is managed by the health board.”At this stage, it is a public consultation which will be open for three months, reviewed and then the application hearing will be held.”

The premises, in an empty retail unit at 95A Newcraighall Road, which was bought by Lindsay & Gilmour when built, would be fitted out as a pharmacy.

Miss Bowden said: “We believe that it’s a good location to be able to support those who live in the area west of Musselburgh/east of Edinburgh Fort [Kinnaird].

“We are also aware there is a significant number of houses being built in the Shawfair area and there is limited pharmacy provision covering both of those areas.”

Lindsay & Gilmour is said to be the oldest family-run, independent pharmacy chain in Scotland, with 32 pharmacies across central and east Scotland, 19 of them in the Edinburgh and Lothian area.

Miss Bowden and another representative from Lindsay & Gilmour outlined the plan at a meeting of Musselburgh & Inveresk Community Council.

Chairperson Irene Tait later said: “We think it’s a good idea.

“If successful, it will be a good thing for Musselburgh as well as the area they will be located at.”