A ‘VITAL’ pharmacy at the heart of an Oxford estate is set to close down next month, leaving residents fearful about their health.

Lloyds Pharmacy said ‘NHS England cuts’ have forced it to close in Blackbird Leys Road.

The pharmacy, which is used by hundreds of people across Blackbird Leys, will shut at the end of January, with staff losing their jobs or being relocated.

Lloyds in Greater Leys will remain open.

Geoffrey Richardson, a board member of the Blackbird Leys Credit Union, said it was a ‘dreadful piece of news’ that would have a negative impact on the health of the community.

Mr Richardson said people from Garsington, where he lives, rely on the pharmacy too.

He said: “It’s awful. We’ll be left without anybody to give us advice, the health of the community will suffer.

“There are a lot of people in Blackbird Leys who need the support of a service like this in one way or another and what they are going to do now, I don’t know.

“It will leave a huge gap.”

The average pharmacy earns 90–95 per cent of its income from the NHS.

The Department of Health announced last year that the amount it reimburses for drugs and prescriptions was going to be cut by £12m a month.

This has made many community pharmacies ‘unviable', Lloyd said.

Oxford City Council, the landlord for the pharmacy, is understood to be attempting to ensure another pharmacy moves in.

Blackbird Leys councillor, Linda Smith, said the council has already received an expression of interest.

She added: “I agree the pharmacy is a vital service in the area and this is a huge blow.

“Having to go to another, further away pharmacy can be a big challenge for some of the people who need it most.

“We will be looking to minimise any disruption during any changeover period and make people aware of other services like being able to order online."

Joe Scholes, a spokesman for Lloyds, said: “This is an ongoing process, therefore it’s too early to give any further details.

“What we can say, is that both the employees of the stores and the local communities are cared for as a priority.

“This action is a result of recent NHS England cuts to reimbursement policy and increases in retrospective clawbacks.”