Pharmacy services - Awareness of additional services, Islington

Research undertaken by Healthwatch Islington and partner organisations within the Black and Minority Ethnic Community has suggested that there is a lack of awareness of the full range of services available in pharmacies. Healthwatch wanted to better understand how local people of all ethnic backgrounds are using pharmacies.

Healthwatch Islington carried out a pharmacy survey in the summer of 2017.

Respondents were asked:
• Whether they knew about the additional services available from pharmacies.
• If they had seen the national campaigns promoting the role of pharmacies.
• How they keep up to date with news about health services.
Completed Surveys: 117 responses

Findings:
• Over three quarters of respondents (77%) were aware that additional services (over and above prescribing and advising on medicines and minor health issues) were available at pharmacies.
• Awareness of the weight management and healthy living service was fairly low.
• Less than a third of respondents from an engaged audience recognised the NHS national media campaigns as campaigns promoting pharmacy.
• The most effective way to promote specific pharmacy services is by making information available at local GP practices and in pharmacies themselves
• Promotion that takes place online or via social media is less likely to reach the audience for whom it is intended.