A NEW pharmacy has opened in Whitefield.

Formerly Jhoots, the Whitefield Pharmacy, off Ribble Drive, provides services including medicine use reviews, new medicines use, care at the chemist, minor eye conditions, the morning after pill, supervised consumption and chlamydia testing.

The new owners are also hoping the centre will become a community hub offering prescriptions, healthy living advice and pharmacy services alongside a Nisa convenience store and Post Office, set to open in January ­— all under one roof.

Sukbinder Dosanjh, the pharmacy's owner, said: "Together myself and Jill Heath have over 50 years experience in healthcare.

"I am a prescribing pharmacist, and Jill, as well as being a dispenser, is a trained midwife, oncology nurse experienced in chemotherapy and an orthopaedics Ward Sister.

"With this wealth of knowledge and experience we can help our patients manage their health outcomes by looking after their healthcare needs, reviewing their medication and managing their ordering of prescriptions."

He added : "We are keen to build links with the local community and currently support St. Andrews church with their breakfast club and Food Pantry. Through our Making a Difference Locally Charity we will continue to give back to the community."

The pharmacy was officially opened by the Mayor of Bury, Councillor Jane Black, who cut the ribbon at a special ceremony.

Cllr Black said: “I was delighted to be invited to open this new pharmacy, and to hear from the new owners about their future plans.

"They have created new jobs for residents and I was very impressed by their enthusiasm and expertise.

"This new business is keen to become a real focal point for the community, and has already begun to build links with local churches and groups.”

The pharmacy has also been welcomed for its role in retaining residents' access to vital healthcare services in Besses ward, which has no GP's surgery.

Councillor Andrea Simpson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing said: “Its great to have a pharmacy in the community of Besses that wants to engage and be part of the local community, offering a range of services to improve the health of the community, we really welcome the Whitefield Pharmacy team to our community.

"We don’t have a doctors surgery in Besses, so its important that residents have local access to good quality healthcare and Whitefield Pharmacy want to deliver these services to residents. We want Whitefield Pharmacy to be an integral part of our community.”

The pharmacy and convenience store are open seven days a week and have free parking.

Opening times for the pharmacy are 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm on Saturdays, and 11am to 1pm on Sundays; and the Nisa store is open from 7am to 9pm daily.

For advice and to access services call 01617663216 or drop in.