Bendigo UFS Pharmacies customers have taken to social media to express their concern about changes to trading hours at the View Street Supercare pharmacy.

The organisation recently posted on its Facebook page the change to Supercare pharmacy hours to 7am to 11pm, 7 days a week, starting from February 5. Previously, the pharmacy was open 24 hours.

Bendigo UFS CEO Lois O’Callaghan said changes to the Government funding model for the Supercare pharmacy came into effect from January 1, but Bendigo UFS had extended the 24-hour service until Monday February 5 2024. 

“We needed to ensure customers could access after-hours pharmacy support during the busy holiday period and give customers time to adjust to the changes. 

Ms O’Callaghan said Bendigo UFS would be supporting customers to find alternative late-night services after 11pm. From February, urgent care after 11pm can be accessed at the Bendigo Priority Primary Care Clinic, Bendigo Health Emergency Department, the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department or Nurse-on-Call. The Bendigo UFS Registered Nurse program continues, operating from View Street, and is a free public service from 6pm to 10pm, seven days a week. Ms O’Callaghan said customers were worried about reduced opportunities for 247 face-to-face primary care services.

“This is a significant change and we thank all our members and customers for showing kindness to our staff as we implement these funding changes which are outside of our control”.