Residents asked to share their views on the borough’s pharmaceutical services needs assessment

Residents are being asked to share their views on West Cheshire’s Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment.

The Council undertakes a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) every three years to make sure that residents can access pharmacy services appropriately. The report also helps to anticipate future needs and changing demand for services.

The PNA report covers all NHS community pharmacies in the borough and includes those family doctors who are permitted to dispense medicines as a pharmacist would.

Community pharmacies provide services such as dispensing medicines and offering advice and practical help on keeping healthy. An important part of a PNA is to consider what residents think about community pharmacy services.

Residents are being asked to help shape the report, which will be used by the NHS to work out if any changes are needed to pharmacy services and make informed decisions about future provision in the borough.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of the Council and Cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “We want to make sure that everyone in our borough has easy access to a pharmacy and medical support and advice.

“The PNA report will ultimately help NHS England understand our borough’s needs, ensuring that community pharmacy services are provided in the right place and meet the needs of the communities they serve.

“Please share your views and help shape this report. The consultation is now open and will run until Wednesday, 25 May 2022.”

Residents can share their view in a number of ways.

• Online: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/pna-consultation
• Paper copies of the consultation are available in libraries and can be posted out upon request via the contact centre 0300 123 7 123.
• Copies of the consultation can be requested in alternative formats including different languages and easy read.

The final PNA report will be published later in 2022 and will cover the period 2022 to 2025.