Call for views on pharmacy services
People in Stone are being urged to have their say on what they want from pharmacies in order to help shape the services they provide.
Health chiefs have launched a public consultation in Staffordshire to gather views on the service and explore how it may be improved to better meet the needs of the county.
As part of the consultation, which runs until December 14th, the public are being asked how often they use their local pharmacy, their reasons for doing so and what additional services they would like to see offered.
Alan White, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing and Joint Chair of Staffordshire’s Health and Wellbeing Board, said it was important the service was meeting the needs of a modern day Staffordshire.
He said: “Around seven million visits are made to pharmacies every year by Staffordshire residents, and this makes them ideally placed not only to help people when they are ill, but to offer advice on staying well too.
“By supporting people through advice on medicines, managing a long-term condition or minor ailment, to advice on smoking, diet or contraception, they play a vital role in supporting health improvement and, importantly, can alleviate the pressure on GP surgeries and A&E departments.
“We want to hear what people like, and even what they don’t like, also what services they would like to see, such as better diet advice or longer opening hours. We really would like to encourage people to have their say.“
The consultation has been organised by Staffordshire’s Health and Wellbeing Board and if you would like to have your say, you can do so at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/pharmacyconsultation
The Health and Wellbeing Board will use the feedback from the consultation to help identify any gaps in the service and ensure pharmacies best meet the needs of residents.