Community Pharmacy Hot Topic
Community pharmacies play a vital role in accessible healthcare, but many patients face challenges such as medicine shortages, accessibility, and understanding new services like the Pharmacy First scheme, with Healthwatch Nottingham & Nottinghamshire’s latest report exploring these issues and offering recommendations to improve services for all.
About the Report
The Community Pharmacy Hot Topic Report explores the experiences of residents in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire with local pharmacies. It highlights key findings such as accessibility, medicine shortages, and the impact of the new Pharmacy First scheme. In response, it offers recommendations for local pharmacies and stakeholders to improve services and better meet community needs.
Key Findings
- High Usage: 97.5% of respondents had used a community pharmacy in the past year.
- Accessibility: 75% found pharmacies easy to access.
- Medicine Shortages: 2 in 5 respondents faced difficulties obtaining medication, leading to stress and multiple pharmacy visits.
- Pharmacy First Scheme: 40% were aware of this NHS initiative, but confusion around eligibility and scope persists.
- Prescription Costs: 25% of those who pay for prescriptions struggle with affordability.
- Challenges for vulnerable groups: Individuals living with disabilities or long-term conditions, as well as carers and those they care for, face significant barriers in accessing community pharmacies. These include difficulties with medicine supplies and unmet needs for dispensing adjustments.
Recommendations
- Opening hours: We recommend that pharmacies adjust their opening hours to better align with the needs of working individuals.
- Effective Communication: Pharmacies should ensure good communication between pharmacists and patients, especially in these key areas: Affordability, Reasonable adjustments , Supporting vulnerable patients
- Pharmacy First Scheme: Improved clarity in communication will enhance the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of the Pharmacy First scheme. The Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Local Pharmaceutical Committee are advised to focus on: Eligibility awareness, Building public confidence, Effective signposting
- Communication on Medicine Shortages and Pharmacy Closures: The ICB is expected to take a proactive approach in communicating with the public about medicine shortages and pharmacy closures.
- Pharmacy Accessibility and Location: As part of its monitoring of relevant indicators of contractual obligations, the ICB is expected to monitor the impact of closures, with particular attention to remote and rural locations to prevent ‘pharmacy deserts’. In addition, prioritising the needs of vulnerable populations is essential, as they could be disproportionately impacted.
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If you need this document in an alternative format please contact [email protected] or call 0115 956 5313.
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Community Pharmacy Hot Topic Report
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Community Pharmacy Hot Topic Presentation
