HOPES of a fresh start for pharmacy care for patients in West Somerset have been voiced by MP Rachel Gilmour.

Mrs Gilmour was pleased to hear that former Jhoots pharmacies in Minehead and Williton were shortly to reopen following a takeover by Allied Pharmacies in November.

She said: “I am delighted the new Allied Health pharmacies are nearly ready to open in Minehead and Williton.

“After years of sub-par services offered by Jhoots, where constituents have told me of frequent closures, medication shortages, and unfilled prescriptions, I am hopeful this will mark a fresh start for pharmacy care in West Somerset.

“I want to place on record my thanks to the staff members at Jhoots, who often had to work in very difficult conditions, and who were trying their best in those trying circumstances.

“Rest assured, this is not the end for my involvement in this issue, however, and I will be keeping a close eye on Allied Health to ensure that my constituents in Tiverton and Minehead are seeing genuine improvement in their pharmacy care, which I am sure Allied Health will provide.”

Mrs Gilmour said she had written a succession of letters and held meetings with Care Minister Stephen Kinnock as she campaigned to raise awareness of the poor performance of Jhoots, as well as raising the subject in Parliamentary debates.