Pharmacies in Lancashire: Fylde Coast
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Healthwatch Lancashire, Healthwatch Blackpool and Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen were approached to help Community Pharmacy Lancashire gain feedback on their services to the public across the county of Lancashire. The three local Healthwatch organisations of Lancashire collaborated and developed a programme of work which ran from January 2017 to March 2017.
They visited 24 different pharmacies were visited across Lancashire, including Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen. Healthwatch Lancashire and Healthwatch Blackpool spoke to people at six pharmacies within the Fylde Coast Local Delivery Plan area. 63 people shared their views and experiences.
They asked people about accessing pharmacies and why they chose the pharmacy they attended, about their awareness and use of community pharmacy services, the quality of care provided, whether using the pharmacy means that they use other health services differently, and their awareness, use and helpfulness of the Electronic Prescription Service.
92% of people said they did not have any difficulties in attending the pharmacy, 47% of people said they use the pharmacy for prescriptions, 20% for healthcare advice, 20% for over the counter medication, 11% said for other reasons including to buy toiletries and 2% because they struggle to get appointments at their GP. The majority of comments received were positive. 5% of comments were negative including issues with prescriptions, long waiting times and people wanting more services to be available at the pharmacy.