Availability of Flu Vaccinations in Lancashire’s Community Pharmacies
Download (PDF 2.85 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Lancashire undertook a mystery shopping exercise assessing the availability of flu vaccinations in community pharmacies across Lancashire and how pharmacies communicate vaccination information to GP practices.
The study was conducted between December 2015 and early January 2016, with 17 volunteers visiting 221 pharmacies and posing as members of the public asking about flu vaccination services for an elderly relative.
Overall, the findings show that availability of flu vaccinations in pharmacies was inconsistent. Around 60.6% of pharmacies said they could provide a flu vaccination, while 38% said they could not and a small proportion were unsure.
Among pharmacies that offered vaccinations, most (68.7%) reported that patients did not need an appointment, suggesting relatively easy access when the service was available.
The majority of pharmacies (84.2%) stated they would inform the patient’s GP after administering a vaccination; however, the method of communication varied widely, including letters, electronic systems, forms, phone calls, and, in some cases, requiring the patient to inform their GP themselves.
Results also varied significantly by location, with some areas reporting high availability (for example, Fylde at 100% and Chorley at 84.6%) and others much lower (such as Wyre at 37.5%).
Qualitative feedback indicated common barriers to providing vaccinations, including lack of stock, absence of trained or accredited pharmacists, limited staffing, and restricted service days or times.
The report concludes that there is considerable variation in both access to flu vaccination services in community pharmacies and in the processes used to notify GPs, highlighting a need for greater consistency to improve patient experience and continuity of care.
NHS England responded positively to the findings, noting that the insights would help inform improvements to pharmacy services and patient access to flu vaccination programmes.