South Warwickshire Pharmacy Report
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Between June and August 2024 Healthwatch Warwickshire asked people across South Warwickshire about their experiences of using pharmacy. They heard from 358 people.
Most feedback on pharmacy was positive in nature, with fewer than 10% of people saying they were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. People recounted the pressures locally on pharmacies and pharmacists. Healthwatch received more negative responses than positive about hospital pharmacy, which may require further investigation.
Over two thirds of survey respondents told about delays to their medication. Over half of survey respondents had experienced delays due to a lack of stock of their medication. People had to sort out alternative medication themselves through additional appointments, travel or phone calls.
Healthwatch heard repeatedly about issues of communication between GPs, hospitals, pharmacies and patients leading to delays in medication for 20% of survey respondents. This needs to be addressed as a separate project.
Pharmacy First is in its infancy and its impact should be closely monitored to assess its impact on patient experience.
People who do not use technology, either by choice or circumstances prevent them, to communicate with pharmacies and GPs (22% of respondents, 13 with a Disability, 39 with a Long-Term Condition, 10 Carers and 1 veteran) need to be factored into new initiatives and processes so that they are not left out or forgotten.