House of Commons · Urgent Question
15 October 2025 · 20 other contributors
Opened by Edward Morello LD West Dorset
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Edward Morello raised concerns about jhoots pharmacy 2025-10-15 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
Key points
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Will the Minister confirm the adequacy and suitability of Jhoots pharmacy as an NHS provider, given their poor service provision, constant closures, unpaid staff, and potential breaches of regulations? Edward raises concerns about the impact on communities in West Dorset where Jhoots branches have closed, leaving people without access to essential medication and placing strain on neighbouring pharmacies. He seeks immediate action from the government.
Question
Will the Minister confirm what steps are being taken to ensure all Jhoots staff are paid without delay? What discussions have taken place with regulators about Jhoots’s business practices? Finally, will the Government urgently review Jhoots's suitability as an NHS pharmacy provider and outline safeguards to prevent such situations?
Minister reply
The Minister agrees that non-payment of staff by Jhoots is unacceptable. Staff disputes should be addressed through ACAS and employers must ensure fair treatment under their contracts. The General Pharmaceutical Council and ICBs are taking regulatory action, with the next step being removal from the pharmaceutical register if there’s no sign of improvement or breach resolution.
Question
What plans does the Minister have to ensure that bad actors in the pharmacy space are dealt with more quickly and effectively under new legislation?
Minister reply
The regulatory framework needs strengthening, especially concerning business owners. The Department is looking at ways to fast-track cases of clear breaches to expedite action against non-compliant pharmacies.
Question
When was NHS England first made aware of Jhoots closures? Has the Minister met Jhoots leadership? What is being done to remedy access issues across affected areas, considering multiple ICBs are involved?
Minister reply
The regulatory bodies such as ICBs and GPhC have been addressing breaches by issuing breach notices and contract management actions. The Department has not met the Jhoots leadership but is examining mechanisms for continuity of care when contractors collapse and whether current models safeguard community pharmacies.
Question
How will we ensure that our pharmacies can offer winter vaccines needed this year if we lose large chains, such as Jhoots?
Minister reply
NHS England is assessing the situation and preparing contingency plans to ensure patients continue to have access to medicines. Local pharmacies and dispensing GP practices are being advised to support affected patients through alternative means.
Question
Will the Minister agree to meet Members whose communities are affected by Jhoots closures and update the House on steps taken to stabilise the crisis in community pharmacy?
Minister reply
I would be happy to meet Members from affected constituencies and will update the House as appropriate while respecting legal constraints.
Question
What can the Minister do about unpaid wages for Jhoots staff in Laceby Road?
Minister reply
Staff should contact ACAS or their trade union, such as PDA, for advice on legal action to force Jhoots to pay due wages.
Question
What additional support can the Department give to existing providers like Boots during winter peaks?
Minister reply
Nothing is off the table, and we are working on strengthening the regulatory framework to address issues with pharmacy business owners. We will keep updating on this work.
Question
Will the Minister consider a review of local pharmaceutical needs assessments to better identify failures like those seen in Jhoots?
Minister reply
We must resolve issues with Jhoots first before considering new pharmacies. We face a challenge due to current legislation but will address this as soon as possible.
Question
Jhoots pharmacy moved into Knott End but has since closed, leaving constituents without access to their prescriptions. What help can the Minister provide to ensure that those within one mile of Jhoots can access their prescriptions from the dispensing Over Wyre medical centre?
Minister reply
We find ourselves in a Catch-22 situation and are urgently working to resolve this regulatory framework issue, which prevents other entities from filling gaps left by unoperational pharmacies.
Question
The Minister mentioned a health Bill that will abolish NHS England. Can the Minister update on when the Bill will be introduced and what provisions it will contain to strengthen accountability for community pharmacy delivery?
Minister reply
My colleague, the Minister of State for Health, is working hard on drafting the Bill but I cannot provide an exact introduction date at this moment.
Question
Several constituents have gone unpaid by Jhoots. Will the Minister reach out to the relevant Minister in the Department for Business and Trade to see what else can be done to support these individuals?
Minister reply
An excellent suggestion; I will follow up on this request to ensure that any employment law breaches are addressed.
Question
Staff have emailed Jhoots begging for their wages as they have empty bank accounts. How can the Minister address the situation when staff have gone without pay for three months, despite the Government's support for pharmacies in taking pressure off GPs?
Minister reply
We are taking action against Jhoots from a regulatory standpoint and are giving support through ACAS and the PDA to ensure that Jhoots is held accountable.
Question
Sedbergh constituents have suffered greatly from poor pharmacy provision by Jhoots, with medicines unavailable, the pharmacy closed, staff unpaid but pay slips issued. What action is the Minister taking nationally to force Jhoots to provide a better service?
Minister reply
We are working actively with integrated care boards, NHS England, the General Pharmaceutical Council and trade unions to address these issues urgently.
Question
The failure of Jhoots is putting unsustainable pressure on other pharmacies. Given the urgent situation with Jhoots, will the Minister review the timescale for pharmacy funding talks beyond March next year to provide certainty?
Minister reply
This matter is urgent and officials are working on it at pace to ensure that things happen as a matter of urgency.
Question
The Singh family, who run two pharmacies in my constituency, despite improved funding face numerous challenges. Will the Minister commit to expanding positive initiatives such as Pharmacy First and independent prescribing pathfinder programme?
Minister reply
We remain committed to the independent prescribing service and are working on strategies to make it a reality, while also reviewing and supporting Pharmacy First.
Question
Jhoots reveals severe financial strain in community pharmacies. How will the Government ensure that the regulatory framework is robust to keep services resilient and accessible, especially in rural areas?
Minister reply
We are working on making the regulatory framework more robust regarding pharmacy business owners who do not deliver service standards expected.
Question
Staff from Jhoots Pharmacy in Thorley have been unpaid for months but continue to work, some struggling with mortgages or affording food. Will the Minister assure constituents that all options will be looked at across Government to address both current and future situations?
Minister reply
I strongly recommend contacting ACAS and the PDA while we wait for enforcement actions from the GPhC against individual pharmacies to conclude.
Question
For almost two years now, Sheringham residents have faced unacceptable service issues from Jhoots Pharmacy, including drug shortages and staff payment problems. How will services be protected if Jhoots is unfit to provide them? What measures are in place to protect taxpayers’ money?
Minister reply
In a Catch-22 situation, we first need to take action against non-delivering pharmacies before commissioning alternative providers. We are moving urgently on these issues.
Question
Acknowledging the pressure on NHS into winter months, how will reliance on community pharmacy be sustained? What professional standards do pharmaceutical chains need to adhere to and how can they be held accountable?
Minister reply
Community pharmacy is central to our 10-year plan for shifting from hospital to community care. Standards set by the GPhC require a certain level of service, and we are urgently working on upgrading regulation for pharmacy business owners.
Government Response
Pharmacies are vital for community healthcare in England. The Government has provided a £500 million funding boost to pharmacies this year, marking significant support since the start of this Parliament. However, there are cases where some pharmacies fail to meet expected standards, as seen with Jhoots pharmacy. Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and the General Pharmaceutical Council have been actively addressing problems at Jhoots through contract management actions and regulatory measures respectively. ICBs can take notice to remove pharmacies from providing NHS services if they persistently breach their terms of service, though appeals are possible delaying proceedings. The Minister's office is exploring ways to strengthen the regulatory framework for quicker action against non-compliant pharmacies.