When Storm Claudia hit England and Wales in November it left a Well Pharmacy in Monmouth flooded.

C+D previously spoke to its branch manager Simon Moore after it moved to a portacabin to continue its services, though it was forced to dispose of 7,000 items n the process and submit a £250,000 insurance claim following the damage from the flood.

The pharmacy had its official opening this week (April 27) with the south east Wales town’s deputy mayor coming down to help reopen the upgraded Well Pharmacy.

Read more: Worst in ’40 years’: Welsh pharmacy in portacabin after flood

“It’s been a long, few months,” Moore told C+D. The portacabin was in the car park of the nearby Castle Gate Medical Practice, which was also affected by the flood.

Moore said the pharmacy continued to do as much as possible from the temporary site, which he said was “okay, and we got it organised and running well.”

The branch was still able to offer the common ailments service (CAS) and private services. But practically, he adds it was “very tight in there for space, so we needed to get out of there as quickly as possible. It did a job and we were turning over quite nicely, but I’m glad we’re out of it now.”

Standing strong

Boots and Superdrug pharmacies were also affected by the floods in Monmouth, and the situation left one independent pharmacy taking on the workload of the town’s pharmacy needs.

D R Rosser Ltd says it’s the oldest pharmacy in Wales, after opening in 1831.

Its pharmacist Rachael Morgan-Jones told C+D the pharmacy is “still standing strong” after it evaded the November flood.

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“Thankfully, we’re at the top of town, so we were absolutely fine,” she said. “But we have had a heck of a lot more work. We kind of took over all the services for Monmouth, essentially.”

She said until three week ago, Boots and Superdrug didn’t have a consultation room to offer all of its services, and with Well being restricted by its temporary premises, “everything was coming through us”.

“In November for five weeks, we did 12 to 14 hour shifts every day. Then we dropped it back to down to 9am to 6pm and then to 5:30pm.

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“In mid-January, we got back to our normal hours. We employed a dispenser in December to give us a hand, but we had double cover pharmacists until mid-January.”

For a short while after the floods, she said their delivery drivers had to wade through the water to give medication to patients through their windows as a lot of the roads were inaccessible.

D R Rosser had also been liaising with local GP surgeries who were also having “an absolute nightmare” so they kept things running smoothly.

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But by February, things had started to calm down as they accustomed to the new workload.

“The prescription load started to reduce around then, but we’ve retained a lot of patients, so the workload is greater than it was before.

“It was definitely something I don’t think anyone will experience again around here anytime soon, it was once in a blue moon type of thing.”

Upgrade

Now it’s reopened and can take the burden off D R Rosser, Well’s branch manager Moore is excited by the new “open plan” feel of the upgraded pharmacy.

It had flood defences included in its upgrade plans to future proof the pharmacy from any more floods.

“You can see into the pharmacy whereas before it was sheltered off,” he said. “The electronic screens are there with information. Everything is lit and got all mod-cons.

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“It’s all new corporate colours on the outside, brand new signage, and everyone loves it!”

The pharmacy also has a few shelves dedicated to a Holland & Barrett range, which follows the multiple opening its new “pharmacy of the future” in December.

Moore said it’s a “service heavy” store now, and the pharmacy is looking to get in a new technician or checker to help with its services.

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“That’s the way pharmacy is going,” he said. “But the locals are happy as we’re back on the high street.

“People are calling in with chocolates, cake and wine. Everyone’s really excited to see the pharmacy reopen.”