Accessibility of pharmacies and service provision

4. Accessibility of pharmacies

During November 2024, as part of the PNA process residents were asked their views on their local or usual pharmacy. There were 590 responses. 78% of respondents said that it is ‘very easy’ or ‘quite easy’ to get to a pharmacy with 60% using a car to access it and 52% walking.

There is good access via public transport with over 90% of residents within a 30-minute commute. Access is more limited for walking to a pharmacy – 84% of residents are within a 20-minute walk. The majority of those that are not, live in rural areas, and are supported by four dispensing doctors. All residents living in the most deprived areas of the borough are within a 15-minute walk or commute to a pharmacy.

The majority of community pharmacies are wheelchair accessible and have nearby parking. Fewer pharmacies provide other resources and adjustments to support customers with a disability or need, such as large print labels, hearing loop, blister packs, ability to see pharmacist of same gender etc. All Cheshire West and Chester pharmacies will have access to Language Line, a telephone interpreting service that helps individuals who don’t share a common language speak to each other. It is recommended that reasonable adjustments should be made by community pharmacies to ensure accessibility, ease of use and a welcoming environment for all potential users. This is a requirement of the Equality Act 2010 which includes those with the following protected characteristics: age, disability, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marital status or civil partnership. Community pharmacies are encouraged to work collaboratively with prescribers, other health professionals and social care to support patient needs.

5. Service provision

The pharmaceutical services contract consists of four different levels:

• Essential services – must be provided by all community pharmacies
• Advanced services – services that pharmacies have opted to provide
• NHSE enhanced services – a specified service commissioned by NHS England
• Locally commissioned services (by the ICB and LA)

Table 2. Summary of advanced, enhanced and locally commissioned services available in CW&C pharmacies

Source: Cheshire &Merseyside ICB, Community Pharmacy England; Cheshire West and Chester Public Health Team.

Analysis of services offered indicates that there is currently no gap in essential or advanced services. However, there are some geographical differences in provision with services predominantly situated in more densely populated areas of the borough, where opening hours after 6pm are more available, as is weekend opening. Overall, opening hours are considered sufficient but commissioners of community pharmacy are encouraged to use the findings of this most recent PNA to encourage flexibility around opening hours of existing pharmaceutical providers. If further amendments to evening and weekend opening take place, commissioners should review the impact with consideration of extending opening hours as a locally commissioned enhanced service (at which there will be a remuneration to the pharmacy).

The PNA has demonstrated potential service need and improved access to the pharmacy supervised consumption and needle exchange services, which will be reviewed by commissioners. A review of the population need and access to the community pharmacy sharps return service has also been identified as a future service improvement area for residents within Ellesmere Port, Neston and Willaston, Northwich and some areas of Rural Community Partnerships. Cheshire and Merseyside ICB are also reviewing options to harmonise and improve equity of access to the urgent palliative care medicines services across all areas which will support access for residents within Chester East, Helsby and Frodsham, and Rural community partnerships.