Key Summary
- Magna Pharmacy Group is opening two new branches in Portishead to replace services lost after the sudden closure of Jhoots pharmacies last year.
- The group has already opened a branch at the entrance of Waitrose and is scheduled to open another within the Portishead Health Centre in the coming weeks.
The Bristol-based Magna Pharmacy Group has opened a new branch at the entrance of Waitrose in Portishead, with a second location due to open in the Portishead Health Centre in the coming weeks, according to media reports.
This move is set to fill the void left by the closure of two Jhoots pharmacies in the town.
In a LinkedIn post, Labour MP Sadik Al Hassan said, “It was amazing to officially open the new Magna Pharmacy in Portishead Waitrose on Monday (16).
“I met with many residents, who expressed their relief that pharmacy provision will finally come back to the store after months of uncertainty after the failings and eventual closure of the previous Jhoots branch.
“As a pharmacist myself I am committed to righting this historic healthcare wrong and am pleased to confirm that Magna's second location, in Portishead Health Centre, will also be opening soon.”
Magna has 16 pharmacies in the South-West.
In September, the Jhoots pharmacy in Victoria Square, Portishead was told to leave a GP surgery due to issues including a "near constant lack" of a trained pharmacist on-site, according to the BBC.
Al-Hassan said it has “been a difficult time for pharmacy provision in Portishead”, with many residents forced to travel out of the town “to collect vital medications”.
