Compare Services from Chemists in Dorset

Discover the various Chemists in Dorset & compare services:

Core Services (Universal Across Most Chemists)

All Bournemouth chemists, whether independent or chain, provide these NHS-funded basics:

- Prescription Dispensing: Handling NHS, private, and sometimes veterinary prescriptions. Most offer free collection from local GP surgeries and delivery for housebound patients.

- Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines: For minor ailments like colds, headaches, or allergies, with pharmacists advising on use.

- Medicines Disposal: Safe disposal of out-of-date or unwanted drugs (excluding sharps in some cases).

- Minor Ailment Advice: Guidance on coughs, sore throats, or aches—no appointment

Here’s where differences emerge—services depend on size, location, and whether they’re independent or part of a chain.

 1. Late Night Columbia Chemist (Independent, Ensbury Park)

- Hours: Open until 19:00 weekdays, 18:00 Saturdays—late for an independent. Not 24-hour but fills a gap for evening access.

- Speciality: Emphasises professional services beyond dispensing, like emergency medication supply (if you’ve run out of a repeat prescription) and close ties with GPs, nurses, and care homes.

- Delivery: Free collection and delivery, targeting convenience for locals in BH10.

 2. Poole Bay Pharmacy (Independent, Westbourne)

- Hours: 08:00-21:00 Monday-Saturday, 10:00-14:00 Sundays—among the longest in Bournemouth. Ideal for after-work or weekend needs.

- Speciality: Located in Westbourne Medical Centre, it offers Pharmacy First (NHS-funded treatment for sinusitis, sore throats, earaches, insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and UTIs in women) and contraception services (repeat pills or starting new ones, no GP needed).

- Delivery: Free collection from surgeries within 2 miles (e.g., BH2, BH4, BH9) and home delivery Monday-Friday for the elderly or disabled.

 3. Castle Lane Pharmacy (Independent, BH8 Area)

- Hours: Historically a 100-hour pharmacy (first in Bournemouth), though current hours may vary—typically 08:00-20:00 weekdays. Check locally for weekends.

- Speciality: Uses a dispensing robot for accuracy, plus Pharmacy First and contraception services. Collects from multiple surgeries like Woodlea House and Moordown Medical Centre.

- Delivery: Free collection and delivery in BH8—strong local focus.

4. Boots (Chain, Multiple Locations e.g., Bournemouth Town Centre)

- Hours: Varies by branch—town centre might be 08:30-18:00 weekdays, shorter on Sundays (e.g., 10:00-16:00). Not typically late-night unless specified.

- Speciality: Beyond the basics, offers flu jabs (NHS and private), travel clinics (vaccinations like yellow fever or malaria tablets), and health checks (e.g., cholesterol or blood pressure, often for a fee). Also sells beauty/health products.

- Delivery: Online ordering with home delivery via boots.com, but in-store focuses on walk-ins. No standard free local delivery.

 5. Asda Pharmacy (Chain, St Pauls Road, BH8)

- Hours: 09:00-20:00 weekdays, 09:00-18:00 Saturdays, 11:00-17:00 Sundays—convenient but not as late as independents like Poole Bay.

- Speciality: Pharmacy First for common conditions (earaches, UTIs, etc.), plus affordable private flu jabs. Ties into Asda’s low-cost ethos.

- Delivery: No free local delivery—collect in-store or use Asda’s broader online grocery delivery (prescriptions included if ordered).

Comparison Highlights

- Opening Hours: Poole Bay wins for longest hours (08:00-21:00), followed by Castle Lane (if still 100-hour). Late Night Columbia suits evenings, while Boots and Asda align with shopping hours.

- Specialised Services: Boots leads with travel clinics and health checks, while Poole Bay and Castle Lane excel in Pharmacy First and contraception. Asda keeps it simple and affordable.

- Delivery: Independents (Late Night Columbia, Poole Bay, Castle Lane) dominate with free local collection/delivery, targeting housebound or nearby residents. Chains rely more on national online systems.

- Personal Touch: Smaller chemists like Late Night Columbia and Castle Lane prioritise community ties and tailored advice.

What Stands Out?

If you need late access, Poole Bay’s 21:00 close is unmatched. For travel or beauty alongside meds, Boots is your go-to. Castle Lane’s tech and BH8 focus suit locals wanting precision. Late Night Columbia offers a friendly vibe, and Asda’s for budget-conscious shoppers. Most overlap on NHS basics, so it’s the extras—hours, delivery, or niche services—that differentiate them.

C & M Chemists

Address: 29 Belle Vue Rd, Southbourne, Bournemouth BH6 3DB

Phone Number: 01202429144