Report on Consultation on Pharmacy Standards

This report summarises a Healthwatch Wandsworth consultation on the General Pharmaceutical Council's proposed pharmacy standards, which emphasise person-centred care and treating each patient as an individual. The survey gathered responses from 28 local residents through outreach events and community groups. 

The findings showed that most respondents were satisfied with their pharmacy services, with 72% reporting they were happy with the service they received. The majority preferred using local pharmacies rather than large chain or supermarket pharmacies, suggesting that people valued the more personal service offered by local providers. 

Most respondents found it easy to speak to a pharmacist and felt that pharmacists were generally accessible and responsive. Participants particularly valued having a pharmacist who knew them personally, as well as being able to trust them and have confidence in the advice they provided. 

The consultation identified some areas for improvement. While interpreter services appeared available when needed, access to information in alternative formats or languages was not always consistent. Similarly, experiences of privacy varied, with some respondents reporting access to private consultation areas while others did not.

Overall, Healthwatch concluded that local pharmacy services were viewed positively and that respondents valued accessibility, trust and personal relationships with pharmacists. The report also suggested that pharmacists could play a greater role in supporting patients and easing pressure on GPs, provided that communication and data protection arrangements remain robust.