RESIDENTS experiencing “high wait time” to collect their prescriptions from a Boots pharmacy in Wellington after the closure of another branch, are being told the issue is “temporary”.

The company closed its pharmacies next to the Wellington Medical Centre in Mantle Street last week and since then people had to face long queues to get their prescriptions.

Gideon Amos, the local Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Taunton and Wellington, asked Boots to act to solve the issue.

Boots admitted “there have been higher than usual wait times for prescriptions” at their Wellington High Street store” as they were transferring new patients from the medical centre Mr Amos wrote to Sebastian James, managing director of Boots UK.

His letter said: “Can I please raise with you the massive problems people are writing to me about with the queues for prescriptions at the remaining Boots High Street store in Wellington now that the other branch has closed?

“It surely can’t be right that the elderly and unwell customers are having to wait over an hour to get their prescription.

“Did Boots put in place extra resources at its High Street store to cope with the increased demand following its closure of the Medical Centre branch?

“I would be grateful for an answer to these points as soon as possible.”

A spokesperson from Boots said: “There have been higher than usual wait times for prescriptions at our Wellington High Street store while we onboard new patients from the medical centre.

“Our team members have been working hard to minimise disruption for customers and we would like to assure patients that the current high wait times are temporary and will be back to normal soon.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused and would like to thank people for bearing with us and being kind to our team members at this time."