The NHS has formally removed Jhoots Pharmacy in Ventnor from its pharmaceutical list, meaning the branch will no longer be authorised to provide NHS services.
The decision follows months of unplanned closures and repeated breaches of NHS service obligations, during which the pharmacy failed to open on more than 50 occasions without good cause.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board initially made the decision to remove the pharmacy in July. That ruling has now been upheld on appeal, with NHS Resolution confirming the branch was likely to continue breaching its terms of service.
The Ventnor site remained closed from mid-March until it eventually reopened on 4th August – 3 days later than the date Jhoots had committed to in formal correspondence.
5 Jhoots-run pharmacies currently operate on the Isle of Wight in Cowes, East Cowes, Ryde, Sandown and Ventnor, although the decision relates only to the Ventnor location.
However, NHS documentation notes ongoing performance issues at 4 of the 5 branches due to staff shortages and repeated temporary closures.
It comes amid mounting concerns over the state of pharmacy provision across the Isle of Wight. As reported by Island Echo, East Cowes pharmacy staff working for Jhoots have gone unpaid for up to 3 months, while residents in several areas have struggled to access essential medications.
A scrutiny meeting held at County Hall last week saw local councillors and health officials raise urgent questions about the reliability of Jhoots’ NHS service delivery, with the council now investigating the wider impact of pharmacy closures.
A little background and whom exactly owns Jhoots pharmacies wouldn’t go amiss in this report
Manjit Hooty and Sarbjit Hooty are the owners.
Sounds like Jhoots as a wider company are in major trouble
I wouldn’t be surprised if Sandown is next… Often closed, or ‘don’t have a pharmacist’… It’s a pharmacy!
cowes is crap too..