The Priory Community Pharmacy: people's views on what it does for them
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Healthwatch Dudley undertook research on services provided by The Priory Community Pharmacy in the Castle and Priory ward. They spoke to local residents through 87 survey responses, focus groups and interviews with key stakeholders to understand how people used the pharmacy and what difference it made to the community.
People were overwhelmingly positive about the pharmacy and valued its convenient location, friendly staff, prescription collection and delivery service, medicines reviews and Minor Ailments Scheme. Many said staff took time to get to know them, provided helpful advice and support, and offered a more personal service than they experienced elsewhere. Most respondents said the closure of the pharmacy would cause significant inconvenience, particularly for older people and those with mobility issues.
The report highlighted the pharmacy’s wider role in promoting health and wellbeing through services such as health checks, smoking cessation, flu vaccinations, weight management, sexual health support and community outreach. The pharmacy also hosted community activities, councillor surgeries, health promotion events and training opportunities, and worked closely with a range of local organisations and community groups.
Healthwatch Dudley concluded that there was strong local support for the pharmacy and its not-for-profit approach. Key strengths included its person-centred ethos, extensive community engagement, ability to reinvest surpluses into local services and strong relationships with residents and partner organisations. The report found that the pharmacy played an important role in addressing local health inequalities and improving access to healthcare within the community.