HEALTH bosses have admitted the method used to assess the pharmacy needs of Wellington is ‘not fit for purpose’.

Somerset Council director of public health Alison Bell was responding to questions by Wellington Pharmacy Action Group’s Roger Tozer.

Ms Bell accepted ‘drastic changes’ were required in the process of assessing and commissioning pharmaceutical services to better meet the needs of local people going forward.

She said: “The pharmaceutical needs assessment is a nationally-prescribed process, enshrined in legislation to inform commissioning decisions for pharmacy provision.

“Many of us working in this area do not believe it is a fit for purpose process, but we are bound by the legislation.”

Somerset Cllr Andrew Govier said health outcomes in Wellington had improved dramatically since Allied Pharmacies opened in March.