Cranes at Well's healthcare centre fixed after ‘structural weaknesses’ uncovered

Well Pharmacy has successfully repaired three cranes at its Stoke-on-Trent healthcare service centre after “structural weaknesses” led to them being temporarily shut down, C+D has learned.

exclusive
The centre is “now back up to normal operating capacity”

The multiple uncovered the issue at the start of December, when it said that it had identified “structural weaknesses” in three out of six cranes it operates at the centre.

Well told C+D it took the decision to decommission the cranes on a temporary basis but stressed that this would not mean a 50% reduction in service at the centre, which C+D understands acts as a repository for stock before it is sent out to individual branches.

Read more: Well initiates ‘business continuity plans’ as crane issues affect capacity

Business continuity plans had to be put in place at the centre, which usually moves millions of units every week, to minimise disruption to staff and patients.

At the time, Well said that it feared the repairs would take until the New Year.

But a Well spokesperson told C+D last month (January 18) that “repairs to the three cranes were successfully completed at the end of December” and the centre is “now back up to normal operating capacity”.

"Patients not disrupted”

They added that “patients were not disrupted by the repairs” thanks to the multiple’s “robust business continuity plans [and] effective communication”.

“We’d like to thank colleagues for all their efforts as we seek to improve the lives of our patients and customers in the communities we serve,” they said.

In November, Well told C+D that it was planning to move “some” support office functions to a sister company outside the UK amid “economically testing times”.

A small number of people in the company’s two support centres – including Stoke-on-Trent – would be affected by the changes, but none were pharmacists, it said.

Steep rises to inflation and challenges caused by the flat funding deal for pharmacy in England means it has to “be even more cost-efficient to ensure sustainability”, Well said at the time.

It comes after the multiple has stepped in to offer roles to pharmacy staff affected by the news that Lloydspharmacy is to withdraw from its Sainsbury’s in-store operations.

Sign in or register for free

Latest from News

‘Don’t sign up!’: LPC chief advises against new smoking service over fees and safety concerns

 
• By 

A new SLA sent out for a local varenicline smoking cessation service means pharmacists who take up the service will be operating at a loss, and result in “clinical risk” if they take up the service.

‘Violently sick’: ‘Predatory’ pharmacist jailed for abusing two patients

 
• By 

A pharmacist who sexually assaulted two patients in pharmacy consultation rooms will serve two years in prison.

Salary Survey: What does community pharmacy think about Hub and Spoke?

 

If you wanted to describe the potential effect of Hub & Spoke as transformational, you’d be right. What the ultimate effect of that transformation might be remains up for debate.

More from Multiples

‘Secure and discreet’: Well Pharmacy launches new Online Doctor service

 
• By 

Well pharmacy has partnered with Expert Health to launch its new “Online Doctor” service, providing “quick, convenient and confidential” access to prescriptions "without the need for in-person consultations”.

WBA facing legal action after inhaler price hike death

 
• By 

The parents of a 22-year-old have filed a lawsuit against Boots parent company Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) following his death from an asthma attack after his prescription allegedly rose from $67 to $539 with no warning.