THE management of Boneham Aged Care Services has broken its silence regarding its decision to strip a Millicent pharmacy of its supply contract and award it to a Mount Gambier chemist.
It has defended the decision as one which was based on business principles.
The move created a community uproar in September amid fears that up to four jobs could be lost at Millicent Chemist and Giftware.
The South Eastern Times has repeatedly sought comment from senior personnel at Boneham Aged Care Services.
Some information about the supply contract was eventually provided at the annual general meeting of Boneham Aged Care Services.
In her tabled report, director of care Kathy Goldsack said the aged care organisation had negotiated a new supply contract and its preferred supplier was now a Mount Gambier chemist.
“Some of our current residents chose to stay with Millicent Chemist and Giftware and we have honoured their request to do so,” Ms Goldsack said.
“Due to the new pharmacy contract, we no longer pay for Webster packaging at either chemist and this has been a significant saving.”
In reply to a query about the supply contact from The South Eastern Times, Boneham Aged Care Services board of management chairman Greg Nitschke said confidential tenders had been called.
“Both tenders were tabled, all aspects were considered and a business decision was made,” Mr Nitschke said.
He elaborated after another question was posed from the floor by a local farmer.
“How do you feel about money going out of the town, Greg?” asked the local farmer.
“As a board, we were not happy,” Mr Nitschke replied.
“It was a business decision, we had to look after our business.
“We did not want to do it.
“All the board (members) felt the same.”
A retired farmer asked how many Boneham Aged Care Services residents had stayed with Millicent Chemist and Giftware for their medicines.
In reply, Ms Goldsack said this figure was 40pc and this prompted a sharp response from the retired farmer.
“You could have kept it local and looked after the chemist staff,” the retired farmer said.
Mr Nitschke said the board had made its supply contract decision on the basis of the tenders.
“If we make bad decisions, we go down the tube,” he said.
“That would mean we would have 86 residents looking for a home and 110 people out of a job.”
Millicent Chemist and Giftware pharmacist Usman Hameed told The South Eastern Times his store was still assessing the impact on employment levels of the new arrangements which took effect on October 30.
However, Mr Hameed would not quantify the exact hours for publication.
“There has been a significant loss in staff hours,” Mr Hameed said.
“We still supply medicines to 44 of the Boneham Aged Care Services residents.
“We did not actively pursue the residents or their families.
“The pharmacy makes daily deliveries to Boneham Aged Care Services as well as emergency supply calls for our clients.
“We respect everyone in their decision to either use us or the Mount Gambier business.”
Mr Hameed said his staff were privileged to have had the support of the community on the issue.
