Applications to open a pharmacy in Much Hadham could threaten the branch surgery in Little Hadham Village Hall and affect the viability of the village hall and our sub Post Office.

Little Hadham Parish Council and concerned residents have written to North and East Herts Primary Care Trust to object to the applications. It is not known who the applicants are or where a pharmacy would be based.  Most Little Hadham residents are registered with the health centre in Much Hadham, which has its own dispensary for prescription medicines. A pharmacy in Much Hadham would reduce revenue from dispensing at the health centre, which could lead to a cut back in services including branch surgeries such as the one in Little Hadham Village Hall.

This would have a knock-on effect on the Post Office, which is housed in part of the branch surgery. The Post Office was recently reprieved under a government review. If the branch surgery was forced to close, the Post Office could become unviable which, in turn, could affect the viability of the village hall itself.

Cllr Tony Skidmore, who looks after health-related matters on the parish council said: “The council has objected to the prospect of a pharmacy in Much Hadham in the strongest terms.  We have a patient-focused, friendly and accessible service based in Much Hadham, with a convenient branch surgery in Little Hadham three days a week. We do not want this level and quality of service to be put at risk.”