Patients could soon be able to collect their prescriptions at any time of the day under plans to install an automated collection machine outside a pharmacy in Abergavenny.
Plans have been lodged with Monmouthshire council for a 24-hour prescription collection machine at Shackleton Pharmacy in Brecon Road, Abergavenny.
The Pharmaself24 machine would be installed within the existing shopfront at the pharmacy.
Under the scheme, pharmacy staff would load medicines into the machine using a barcode to ensure security.
Patients would receive a text message when their prescription is ready to be collected, with a unique PIN number.
They would then enter the PIN number on a touchscreen and the medicine would be dispensed from a slot.
The collection flap would be automatically locked when patients are not collecting prescriptions.
The service, which is being introduced across the UK, aims to reduce waiting times for customers and allow them to collect prescriptions at any time.
It is designed to be particularly useful for repeat prescriptions and those who work outside pharmacy opening hours such as shift workers and carers.
It is also said the plan will allow pharmacies to spend more time with patients who need it and deliver new services.
Pharmacy staff will decide which types of medicine are suitable to be collected from the machine under the scheme.
One resident has submitted a comment in support of the plans since they were submitted.
They said the pharmacy offers “a brilliant service to the whole of Abergavenny.”
Monmouthshire council’s heritage officer has also indicated that the plans are “considered acceptable”.
The pharmacy on Brecon Road is located within a conservation area.
“The application has been modified from its original submission to change the design to reflect the special character of the conservation area and the original design of the shopfronts,” the heritage officer said.
“The amended design reduces the size of the unit and retains the features of the shop front such as the transom and so are considered acceptable.”
Monmouthshire council will assess the plans in the coming months.
Double appeal under way over village homes plans
Bromyard town flats conversion plan okayed
Calls for timetables at bus stops in Monmouthshire
Hereford city care home conversion plan passed
Herefordshire candidates back children’s services enquiry call
Partly built ‘house-like’ farm building to be demolished as plans are rejected
Huge estate on edge of Leominster finally approved
General Election 2024: Herefordshire Conservative candidates launch campaigns
