The multiple uncovered structural issues in three out of the six cranes it operates at its Stoke-on-Trent healthcare service centre during a “regular check”, a Well spokesperson told C+D yesterday (December 1).

It therefore chose “to temporarily decommission them to protect the safety of [its] workforce”.

The site typically moves “millions of units every week”, the spokesperson explained.

Repairs of the cranes are likely to last “until sometime in the New Year”, the Well spokesperson added.

“Unfortunately, this has impacted on our ability to operate at full capacity at our healthcare service centre,” they went on to say.

However, the multiple has initiated “business continuity plans” in the meantime, which it says “will ensure impacts to [its] patients and customers is minimised”.

“We will continue to provide a full business as usual operation,” the spokesperson said.

Read more: Well blames flat pharmacy funding as it outsources office roles abroad

No drop in productivity

The spokesperson emphasised that half of Well’s cranes “being out of action temporarily does not result in a 50% reduction in service”.

The site will not experience “a drop in productivity” while the three cranes are being repaired, they added.

Last week, Well told C+D it will move “some” support office functions to a sister company outside of the UK, blaming “steeply rising costs due to inflation”.

The multiple is also seeking to grow its pharmacy workforce, offering overseas pharmacists a support package worth up to £8,000 as well as “bespoke training”.