Pharmacy First: what people told us
Download (PDF 886.57 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Calderdale and Healthwatch Kirklees wanted to find out people’s awareness and experiences of the NHS Pharmacy First service across Calderdale and Kirklees.
A total of 228 residents shared their views, alongside feedback from pharmacy staff about how the service is working in practice. Healthwatch found that Pharmacy First is valued by people who use it, particularly for providing quick access to advice and treatment without needing a GP appointment. Many people also described receiving helpful advice from pharmacy teams for a wider range of minor health concerns, beyond the specific conditions included within the Pharmacy First service. However, awareness of the service remains the biggest barrier to wider use. Many people had not heard of the service or were unsure what conditions pharmacists could treat.
Healthwatch also identified differences in awareness and use, with younger people, men and ethnically diverse groups less likely to know about or access the service. Some people reported other barriers including uncertainty about eligibility, pharmacy opening hours and concerns about privacy within pharmacy settings. The report highlights opportunities to improve awareness, accessibility and integration of Pharmacy First within the wider healthcare system.