Pharmacy First

Healthwatch Portsmouth wanted to understand local people's experiences of Pharmacy First. Tney undertook a survey to which 112 people responded.

Key findings

Over half had heard of Pharmacy First

The most common conditions that people sought advice from a pharmacist were a sore throat, infected insect bites and middle ear infections.

Over four in five were aware that pharmacies have private consulting rooms.

Over four in five felt that ease of access to treatments at pharmacists is important, but under half considered their pharmacist’s expertise and advice is important for accessing treatment.

Of those who had used the Pharmacy First service, nearly four in five had a positive experience.

The following recommendations were made based on survey findings from local patients:

1. It is crucial that consistent messaging and plans that address perceptions that pharmacists/pharmacies are ‘less trustworthy’ than doctors in treating patients are put in place. Importantly, plans should be coordinated across pharmacies, primary care and Health and Care Portsmouth to emphasize pharmacists’ skills.
2. Care navigation: that comparative quantitative data and qualitative information held within GP practices should be gathered to identify and inform future successes in directing patients to Pharmacy First. (e.g. patients returning to their GP practice when they have not followed a previous direction to Pharmacy First)
3. That pharmacies gather data from patients who self-refer for Pharmacy First treatments.
4. That patient communications (using language translations and Easy Read formats) about Pharmacy First are developed with patients
5. That GP practices consider how patients whose communication needs fall within the scope of the Accessible Information Standard are directed to a Pharmacy First service.
6. That common service standards are developed and applied which aim to reduce confusion and instances of failure to access by patients; and to proactively prevent resistance to using Pharmacy First. This should include clearly publicized service details (times, availability, appointment booking etc.).