Pharmacy Chain Faces Allegations of Financial Mismanagement
A pharmacy chain has serious questions to answer regarding allegations of financial mismanagement. According to the Union Pharmacists Defense Association, JHOOTS pharmacies owe £670,000 in unpaid wages to locum employees who worked at their branches across the UK.
Unpaid Wages and Pharmacy Closures
There are approximately 150 JHOOTS pharmacies throughout the UK, with 129 operated by Sarbjit Jhooty. The pharmacist defense association stated that the £670,000 debt is related to locum employees who worked at JHOOTS branches. Locum employees work on a freelance basis, typically providing short-term coverage. A former JHOOTS worker claims to be owed several thousand pounds after working at a branch in Somerset.
Impact on Patients and Employees
The alleged financial mismanagement has led to pharmacies closing regularly and unexpectedly, or opening with low stock. This has resulted in patients struggling to obtain their prescriptions. Employees have also been affected, with one former worker stating that they were not paid for their work in January. The situation has taken a toll on the mental health of employees, who have also had to deal with angry customers.
JHoots Management Response
Sarbjit Jhooty stated that he is working to resolve the issues as soon as possible. He attributed the problems to "workforce and recruitment challenges" in the southwest, which he claimed have been an issue for many years. Manjit Jhooty, who owns over 20 JHOOTS branches through his companies, said that his branches are "fully functional and still delivering services to the communities they serve."
NHS Involvement
The NHS has been criticized for allowing JHOOTS to continue operating despite their history of problems. MP Sadik Al Hassan has called for the NHS to take action, stating that the health service can grant and take away NHS work from pharmacies. He has requested that JHOOTS submit their NHS contracts in his constituency.
Pharmacy Closures and NHS Contracts
The closure of JHOOTS pharmacies has led to concerns about access to healthcare services. In Wiltshire, a branch was closed with a sign on the door stating that a lack of pharmacists was the reason. Similar closures have been reported in Somerset and Bristol. The NHS has stated that they recognize the concerns caused by pharmacy closures and are obligated to ensure that residents have access to alternative provisions.
