Double pharmacy success takes two to four

Gideon Amos, MP for Taunton and Wellington, has expressed his delight that Wellington is set to have a fourth pharmacy.

Only yesterday (Tuesday), it was announced that Allied Pharmacies is to open next Monday in the former Jhoots premises behind the now-closed Luson Surgery in Mantle Street.

Now, another pharmacy has been approved, subject to appeal, on the Westpark 26 business park at Chelston.

Provision in the town was reduced to only two operations last year. The facility run by Boots at Wellington Medical Centre in Mantle Street closed in February, 2024, while the Jhoots pharmacy shut last September.

Gideon said: “I’m delighted NHS Somerset has listened to Wellington in granting permission for this fourth pharmacy.

"Without being party to this application, I met with, and wrote to, the NHS in the strongest terms to urge them to approve any pending applications for the town so this is the right outcome for Wellington.

"I pay tribute to the volunteer campaigners and the town council who, like me, have added their pressure to get more facilities for the area.

"Putting care, and the NHS, first is what I promised to prioritise if elected MP.

"Since being elected, Wellington has benefited from a larger number of GPs, a new NHS dentist now serving 2,000 Wellington-based patients, and now additional pharmacies.

"Working as a constructive opposition to government, whose role in this I acknowledge and credit, has helped make all this possible.

"The most important factor, however, has been great community spirit and the leadership of Wellington's town councillors and town council Chief Executive. 

"If all of us as local representatives maintain the focus on strengthening our community, and its public services, our area will go from strength to strength in what still needs to be done - like sustaining the great work of our community hospital and getting the new maternity and paediatric department that Musgrove Park Hospital so urgently needs."