Agenda item

[Seeta Wakefield, Public Health Speciality Registrar, City of Wolverhampton Council to present report and give presentation]

Seeta Wakefield, Public Health Speciality Registrar presented the report and gave a presentation on the Wolverhampton Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2018-2021 and highlighted key points.

She advised that 256 members of the public had responded to the pharmacy survey.  The key findings of the survey related to opening times, accessibility and facilities.  She confirmed that in terms of opening times and accessibility there were now several pharmacies open from 7am weekdays, several on Saturdays and 10 were open on Sundays.  Those 10 were concentrated in more deprived areas where people could walk or there was good public transport; with people from more affluent areas more likely to be able to access those facilities by car.  Most pharmacies were within a 30-minute drive or walk, or could be accessed by public transport.  In respect of facilities, most had staff that could speak other languages; there was greater wheelchair access, more consultation rooms and home dispensing.

She confirmed that Lloyds Pharmacies would be releasing 190 pharmacies nationally (either through closure or by selling them to other pharmacies).  There were eight Lloyds pharmacies in Wolverhampton; however, as yet there was no notification of how many, if any, would be affected, and if they were, in what way.  Public Health would continue to monitor the situation on behalf of the Board.

The Chair referred to the important work undertaken by pharmacies in providing general health care advice.

John Denley, Director for Public Health referred to the importance of pharmacies in attracting people and other businesses to an area as they were very good businesses.

Jeremy Vanes, Royal Wolverhampton Hospital NHS Trust suggested that the Board would benefit from speaking with pharmacist to build a level of awareness regarding where and how to provide services.

Helen Child, Third Sector Partnership stated that it was often pharmacy staff who noticed problems at first hand, as they often saw people on a regular basis and during home visits and it was important that those skills were utilised appropriately.

John Denley advised that although facilities and building fabric were important, the most important thing was the build-up of relationships and being part of the community.

Seeta Wakefield confirmed that of the 64 customer facing pharmacies, 63 had closed rooms and the only outstanding pharmacy was looking to add a room.

Helen Child and Linda Sanders both referred to the terminology in correspondence and suggested that it would be helpful to simplify it.

Seeta Wakefield confirmed that this year timescales had been very tight; however, in future years issues including language, terminology and accessibility would be looked at more closely.  She also advised that the HWBB would be consulted at an earlier stage next time in the process.

Councillor Sweet stated that he was aware of one pharmacy that had a private consultation room; however, it was very small and at the back of the premises and had limited availability.

Seeta Wakefield acknowledged that the situation was not perfect; however, improvements continued to be made to make premises more accessible, with 55 being wheelchair accessible.

Resolved:

That the report and presentation be noted.