CAMPAIGN WIN: Allied Pharmacies agree rescue deal to take over Jhoots premises
Rachel Gilmour MP has been working hard to improve local pharmacy services in the constituency, writing to the Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock on multiple occasions. On 16th October, Mrs Gilmour wrote a letter to make the Minister aware of the poor performance of Jhoots in Tiverton – closing one premise, which has put additional strain on other local pharmacies. Later in the month, on 30th October, Tiverton and Minehead’s MP wrote to the Minister again, this time in support Williton Parish Council’s request for the Department for Health and Social Care to explore options for restoring pharmacy services in Williton.
In Parliament, Mrs Gilmour also recently raised constituent concerns with the Minister directly, where he confirmed that he planned to meet the General Pharmaceutical Council to try and resolve the increasing and ongoing problems. Mr Kinnock informed Rachel Gilmour that his department was actively reviewing pharmacy business regulations. This was after Mrs Gilmour explained how local NHS Integrated Care Boards were “hamstrung” by current contract regulations, after she previously raised these issues with local NHS ICBs.
On 7th November, an Allied Pharmacies statement declared: “while the majority of these locations are temporarily closed, we are fully committed to reinstating essential pharmacy services…our immediate priority is to resume pharmaceutical services as soon as possible for these sites.” Since the announcement, it has been reported that pharmacy premises in Minehead (Baytree House, Townsend Road), Williton (next to Williton Surgery, Robert Street), and Tiverton (Newport Street) are set to be taken over.
MP for Tiverton and Minehead, Rachel Gilmour said:
“My office has heard from so many constituents about the unacceptable Jhoots Pharmacy services in both Mid Devon and West Somerset. Following my continued pressure on the Minister, I am pleased to hear that Allied Pharmacies have struck a deal with Jhoots and now plan to reinstate essential services.
I hope that this rescue deal will now see services improve for constituents here in Tiverton and Minehead, easing the pressures on existing pharmacies. Although this feels like a massive campaign win, my office will continue to observe this issue closely to ensure constituents don’t have to face the long delays in receiving life-improving and life-saving prescriptions.”