Enter and view: views and experiences of people accessing pharmacy services

Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees wanted to supplement the feedback it was receiving on pharmacies by carrying out six enter and views of local pharmacies.

They found that people value pharmacy services, and staff were considered helpful and polite. In certain areas people felt access was a challenge, particularly with medication shortages and the need to attend one or more pharmacy service to collect a complete prescription. Some people described difficulties in walking to their local pharmacy due to ill health or frailty. 

There was little knowledge of the additional services that pharmacy can provide, with the perception that pharmacists could not provide specialist health care advice, of an equal standard to that of a GP. 

Those that had accessed Pharmacy First found the process useful, saving time and avoiding challenges accessing GP appointments. 

A clear, joined up approach to communication is needed to ensure the public have the correct information and feel informed about available health and care pathways. All the feedback gathered has helped to inform recommendations for the local area with the support of Community Pharmacy Tees Valley and will be shared widely at regional and national levels