A beleaguered Isle of Wight pharmacy branch has been struck off an NHS pharmaceutical list.
NHS Resolution removed Jhoots Pharmacy in Ventnor after an unsuccessful appeal against Hampshire and Isle of Wight integrated care board’s (ICB) prior removal decision.
Closed for a ‘significantly long period’
The body, part of the government’s Department of Health and Social Care, said the pharmacy had been closed for a ‘significantly long period’ and that a ‘good reason’ was needed as to why a removal was not ‘proportionate and justified’.
‘Such reasoning’ was not considered to have been given in Jhoots’s appeal, NHS Resolution said.
The pharmacy at 1 Albert Street had been closed since March 2025 except for 12th June when a pharmacist was at the premises for a ‘few hours’, according to the ICB’s decision report on the removal, dated 15th July 2025.
Patient experience is poor
The document said,
“The (Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB Pharmaceutical Services Regulations) committee considered the effect on patients and noted that currently patient experience is poor due to the uncertainty of whether the pharmacy will reopen or not.
“The committee also noted the inconvenience and disruption patients experience when they cannot obtain their medication from the pharmacy and the burden this places on the GP practices when they are required to issue new prescriptions.”
Appealed by Jhoots
Jhoots’s grounds of appeal included the ICB seemingly having had regard to ‘irrelevant matters’ when reaching its decision, it being wrong to conclude Jhoots would not be able to restart services at the pharmacy and that the branch had in fact resumed service provision.
In an 15th August appeal letter to NHS Resolution, Jhoots’s lawyers said the pharmacy had reopened on 4th August 2025.
It said,
“Whilst it is correct that the company had, until recently, experienced difficulties in relation to staffing of the pharmacy which, unfortunately, resulted in the closure of the pharmacy, the company has taken active steps to resolve these.
“In summary, the company wishes to remain on the pharmaceutical list for the area and is committed to providing pharmaceutical services for the people of Ventnor and has employed a pharmacist to work in the pharmacy to overcome the historic staffing issues that have been experienced.”
Roach: We remain prepared to take action where necessary
James Roach, director of primary care and local care at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said,
“We will always look to work with our pharmacies and remain in weekly contact with Jhoots.
“However, we remain prepared to take action where necessary to ensure the best access for patients.
“We have been working with GP practices to make sure patients can continue to access their medications as needed and do not expect any interruptions as a result.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
