Local health champion publishes report into the experiences of using community pharmacies.

Shared on behalf of Healthwatch Shropshire.

Working with NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and the Local Pharmaceutical Committee we developed a survey to ask patients about both their awareness of enhanced services and their experience of using pharmacy services.

Community pharmacies are offering more services and trying to help take the pressure off GP services. These include ‘Pharmacy First’ which provides consultation services and the supply of appropriate medicines for 7 common conditions including earache, sore throat, and urinary tract infections.

Healthwatch Shropshire wanted to hear from anyone who has used pharmacy services for any reason since February 2024.

The key recommendations are:

• Consider the suggestions for improvement from the public in the report, in particular what can be done to reduce delays in dispensing medication and increasing access to GP appointments.
• Speak to Pharmacists about their experiences of delivering the Pharmacy First service, in particular any issues around staffing capacity and what they think would help them to provide this service in a more seamless way that builds public confidence.
• Consider how the Pharmacy First service can be promoted more effectively to different parts of our population, e.g. young people aged 16+ and those with limited access or experience of using technology. Where possible involve these groups in developing your approach through co-production.
• Ensure there is correct and consistent messaging from GP practice staff and 111 about the Pharmacy First service and how to access it.

Lynn Cawley, Chief Officer of Healthwatch Shropshire, said, “We know that a lot of work is being done in Shropshire to encourage people to think about where they can go for advice and treatment rather than wait for a GP appointment or go to A&E. Some people had no idea that they can go to their community pharmacy and and ask to speak to the pharmacist confidentially. The people who had used ‘Pharmacy First’ found their local pharmacist convenient and happy to help. We hope this report will make more people aware of the options open to them, while highlighting the support pharmacies need to be able to offer these services and increase public confidence.”

The full report can be found here: https://www.healthwatchshropshire.co.uk/report/2025-03-27/shropshire-pharmacy-services-and-consultations

Healthwatch Shropshire is the independent health and social care champion in Shropshire. It gathers the views and experiences of patients, service users, carers, and the general public about services including hospitals, GPs, mental health services, community health services, pharmacists, opticians, residential care and children’s services. It also has statutory powers that it can use to influence service provision by encouraging improvements.