Gideon Amos MP has intensified his campaign to resolve the prolonged closure of the Jhoots pharmacy in Wellington’s town centre. The pharmacy, a critical resource for local healthcare, has been shut for several months, leaving residents without convenient access to essential medicines.
In a firm letter addressed to Jhoots Pharmacy and Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Social Care, Mr Amos called for immediate action. The pharmacy on Fore Street has seen sporadic opening hours, with a sign on its door stating it is “currently closed due to lack of pharmacist.”
While Allied Pharmacies recently took over management of 60 Jhoots branches, including several in Somerset, the Wellington location was not included. Meanwhile, Orange Pharmacy’s application for a licence in Wellington was declined by the Somerset Integrated Care Board in July, citing sufficient coverage by existing pharmacies: Jhoots, Boots, and Superdrug.
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Mr Amos expressed his frustration in his letter to Jhoots: “Residents of Wellington have been let down repeatedly by the Jhoots pharmacy. The sudden closure, with no indication of reopening, is deeply disappointing. I urge you to either reopen with adequate staffing and medication availability or transfer ownership to new operators, as you have done with other sites in Somerset. Pharmacies serve as vital community health hubs, and Wellington deserves reliable access.”
In correspondence with Minister Kinnock, Mr Amos highlighted the urgency of pharmacy access in light of Wellington’s planned housing developments. “Access to pharmacy services has been increasingly overlooked, and the indefinite closure of Jhoots exacerbates this issue. What steps is the department taking to address these critical gaps in healthcare provision across the country?”
Responding to concerns, an NHS Somerset spokesperson acknowledged frustrations caused by unplanned closures. “We understand the disappointment these closures cause local communities. Temporary closures are managed in accordance with national pharmaceutical regulations to ensure patients never go without essential medications. When required, we take formal contractual actions such as issuing breach notices and withholding payments. Since meeting with local partners in September, we have been actively supporting pharmacy providers in Wellington to resolve ongoing issues.”
Jhoots Pharmacy has been contacted for comment on the situation but has yet to respond.