TROUBLED Wellington pharmacy Jhoots is to stay open despite the closure of the town’s Luson GP surgery.

Jhoots operates from an unmarked building attached to the rear of Luson, in Fore Street, and was expected to shut when the surgery closes on September 26.

NHS Somerset said Luson’s 6,600 patients will be transferred automatically to GP lists at Wellington Medical Centre with a seamless transition in care.

Jhoots has been facing a litany of financial issues nationally which has impacted its Wellington pharmacy, where patients have complained of frequent unannounced closures, staff shortages, and an absence of a pharmacist to dispense prescriptions.

Nationally, the company has been struggling with mounting debts and has seen bailiffs turn up at some premises.

But, NHS Somerset said there would be ‘no changes’ to Wellington Jhoots, which would remain open, ‘operating as usual’, after Luson closes.

A spokesperson said: “Prescription services are unaffected, and clear communication arrangements have been agreed with pharmacy staff to support any patient queries.

“NHS Somerset is working closely with pharmacies, including Jhoots, to address any operational challenges should they arise and ensure a consistently high standard of service for residents.

“At this time, we have not been made aware of any plans for Jhoots to close its Wellington branch.

“NHS Somerset recognises that community pharmacies have been operating in a challenging national environment and continue to support pharmacies in addressing these pressures to provide resilient services to our local residents.”

The spokesperson said Wellington residents continued to have ‘good access to pharmaceutical services’, with three community pharmacies available locally, the others being Boots and Superdrug.

They said a pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA) carried out by the Somerset Health and Wellbeing Board concluded ‘there are no gaps in pharmacy provision within the Wellington area’.

The spokesperson said: “These assessments also account for planned housing developments.”