Locals in Penhill have grown concerned after allegedly being told that their closest pharmacy is set to close. 

But Professor Steve Maddern, director of public health for the area, has provided ward councillor Claire Crilly with an update on the Penhill Drive store indicating that there is to be no change. 

Because of this professor Maddern added in his response to Coun Crilly that residents should not have been told the Boots pharmacy is closing.

In a post on Facebook, the councillor wrote: "I have been liaising with Swindon Council about the possible sale of Penhill Pharmacy, and concern that it may close. I have had the following information update from Prof Steve Maddern, director of public health.

"NHS England (who commissioned the pharmacy) has said there is currently no change to service provision, so residents should continue to use the pharmacy until advised differently. Also, residents should not be told that it is going to close.

"Also if residents continue to be concerned and if the pharmacy continues to give the message of closure – you can flag your concerns directly with NHS England as well – details on how to contact them here available here - https://www.england.nhs.uk/.../compl.../complaining-to-nhse/."

UPDATE: The store manager of Penhill Pharmacy has also since clarified confusion about its future 

Tracy Jones, who runs the store, has stated that it will not be closing, and will continue to provide prescriptions and advice to residents. 

The owners of the store, Boots, have put the store up for sale which has caused some concern, but Tracy added that she expects it to be sold to another pharmacy, and doesn't know if or when that will happen. 

She said: "We have told patients a particular service we provide is now changing and if they wanted to continue with that particular service and not go with the changes, we suggested in the long term it’ll be best for the patient to look elsewhere at another pharmacy due to the pending sale of the store.

"This has then gone on to social media telling everyone we are closing. Which is not the case!

"We have told all patients that, yes, Boots have put the store up for sale, but as a business. We anticipate that this will be to another pharmacy but we don’t know who or when. When we know more we will let all patients know.

"We are still open and running as normal. We will continue to care, give advice and provide medication to all patients. I understand the frustrations of the patients as we are sad too that it will no longer be a Boots."