Customers have complained after being forced to queue for more than an hour to get prescriptions at a pharmacy.
Queues have been forming outside the LloydsPharmacy after the store reduced its opening hours, with some waiting for their prescriptions for an hour and a half.
The situation has now been described as “completely unacceptable” with some unable to collect their prescriptions during their work breaks.
Jess, 40, from Henfield, said: "I queued for an hour and a half and didn’t even get my prescription. This just isn’t right.
“People are queuing for so long they are losing their lunch hours. My husband is desperate for his inhaler but my lunch hour isn't long enough. Something is going very wrong here.”
Frustrated residents have blamed reduced opening hours for the long queues. LloydsPharmacy says that this is due to a shortage of staff at the store.
The pharmacy is open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays but closes at lunchtime and is not open on Saturdays.
Andrew Griffith, MP for Arundel and South Downs, said that he has contacted the chief executive of LloydsPharmacy to complain about the situation.
Mr Griffith said: “The situation of LloydsPharmacy in Henfield is completely unacceptable.
“Yesterday, whilst holding my weekly surgery in Henfield, I visited and talked to those queuing outside on a number of occasions. Short opening hours, weekend closures and long handling times meant that residents are queuing for hours and often join the queue only to be turned away unseen at the next closing times.
“This presents an insufferable burden on those in work, those who are frail or vulnerable or simply those juggling busy commitments.
“This is not fault of the staff working in Lloyds. But the system has not worked as it should in Henfield for far too long and with the cold days and dark evenings approaching it needs to be fixed fast.”
Mr Griffith also met with Dr Karen Crawford-Clarke, GP Partner of the Henfield Medical Centre, to discuss the impact that the shortening of pharmacy hours is having on GPs, nurses and staff.
A spokeswoman for LloydsPharmacy said: “Due to staff shortages, our pharmacy in Henfield has been operating temporary reduced hours. We would like to sincerely apologise to our customers and patients for any inconvenience this may have caused.
“At the moment, there is significant pressure on community pharmacy across the UK. This is due to sector-wide workforce issues that are not unique to LloydsPharmacy, and is highlighted by the Home Office's decision to place pharmacists on their shortage occupation list.
“Despite these significant challenges, we are working hard to ensure our patients can still access the care they need, and this is our number one priority.
“We would like to reassure the residents of Henfield that we take our responsibility towards the local community very seriously.
"This is why our field management team is actively recruiting to strengthen our teams and has an action plan in place to resume normal working hours at our pharmacy, as soon as is practically possible."
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