Have Your Say On How Pharmacy Services Are Shaped In Southport

Above: The opening of the out patients pharmacy (SDGH)

Sefton residents, organisations and professional bodies still have time to have their say on shaping pharmacy services in the borough.

A consultation opened in December 2014 looking at a new Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) and closes on February 1.

Sefton’s Health and Wellbeing Board has developed the new PNA which looks at the need for pharmacy services across the borough, the level and accessibility of them and how these will be maintained in the future.

Cllr Paul Cummins, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Older People and Health, said: “The council has a responsibility to produce a PNA with the final report forming the basis for commissioning pharmacy services in Sefton.

“If gaps are identified we need to ensure that appropriate services are available in the borough to meet residents’ needs. The PNA is very important as the local pharmacy is often the first place we turn to when we are concerned about our health or our family’s health.

“That is why it is important we find out what residents want and how pharmacies could meet these needs.”

Anyone who uses a pharmacy, these include your local pharmacy or chemist shop, pharmacy services in Supermarkets and GP practices that dispense medicines for their patients and online pharmacies, is encouraged to comment on the PNA by completing a quick online, anonymous survey.

The draft PNA incorporates over 200 responses received when residents were first consulted in August.

To comment on the PNA visit: www.engagespace.co.uk/sefton and fill out an anonymous questionnaire. Full printed copies of the draft PNA and versions in another format are available. Please call Sefton Council’s Public Health Team on 0151 922 4040 to receive one.

PNA’s are used by NHS England to decide whether to approve applications for new pharmacies by the CCG’s and Council when they decide to commission additional services through pharmacies.

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