Short-notice closures of pharmacies on the Isle of Wight are causing “real problems” for patients, a health consumer body has warned.
Four of the Island’s five branches of Jhoots closed on Monday, with several reopening on Tuesday.
Healthwatch Isle of Wight said people had reported travelling to pharmacies only to find them closed, with other pharmacies having to take on their prescriptions.
The NHS said it was working with GPs and pharmacies to put “contingencies” in place for patients to collect medication.
Multiple branches affected
Jhoots pharmacies in Cowes, Ryde and Sandown were among those that closed.
A notice on the door of the East Cowes branch explained that the closure resulted from no pharmacist being available on site to dispense medication.
Joanna Smith, of Healthwatch Isle of Wight, highlighted the broader impact on patients.
Joanna Smith said people had told her that pharmacies lacked sufficient stock, preventing patients from obtaining needed medication and other items.
Staff shortages raise concerns
Joanna Smith expressed particular concern about patients’ worries regarding both the short notice of closures and the lack of available pharmacists.
Questions have arisen about the pharmacy chain since it took over Lloyds Pharmacy branches on the Island in 2023.
Joanna Smith emphasised that the closures particularly affect people with young children, those at work, and people with mobility problems who find accessing pharmacies challenging on a daily basis.
National funding issues
Joanna Smith explained that the problem extends beyond the Isle of Wight, with national issues around pharmacy contracting and funding that require resolution as the problem affects communities nationwide.
Regent Pharmacy in East Cowes reported feeling the strain from increased demand.
The pharmacy said it had seen a “daily influx” of patients from a nearby Jhoots branch because it had not been able to fulfil prescriptions.
The pharmacy said it recognised its duty of care for patients but acknowledged the pressure on staff who were finding the situation quite difficult.
Ferry links complicate supply issues
The Island faces ongoing challenges with drug supplies that rely on ferry links to the mainland.
James Roach, director of primary care for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, expressed concern about the situation and emphasised that preventing disruption to patients’ medicine supplies remained the priority.
NHS response and future planning
Mr Roach outlined plans to examine how to ensure appropriate supply and positioning of pharmacies on the Island for the medium and long term.
Mr Roach explained that the NHS had worked to establish contingencies including alternative sites for accessing medicines, and had collaborated with GP practices to clarify where patients could collect prescription medicines and receive wider support.
Widespread national problem
A survey published earlier this year by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Pharmacy found medicine shortages were a “persistent and widespread issue”.
The government has previously blamed “a decade of underfunding and neglect” for issues affecting community pharmacies.
Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Social Care stated its intention for pharmacies to play a bigger role as healthcare shifts from hospitals into the community through the government’s Plan for Change, noting that community pharmacies received a larger funding boost this year than any other area of the NHS.
OnTheWight has approached Jhoots for a response to several questions. We’ll update once we hear back.
