Pharmacies most easily accessible healthcare location last winter

YouGov polling released today found that, last winter, community pharmacies were the most accessible healthcare location for members of the public, when they were asked how easy or difficult it was to access various NHS services. Pharmacies have wide support from the public with two-thirds (65%) saying they were important to them, and over three-quarters (77%) saying they would be concerned if their local community pharmacy were to close.

The public also strongly backed a bigger role for community pharmacy in respiratory healthcare with four out of fiver of people saying they would support pharmacies offering a range of related services. This includes backing pharmacies to offer more help with assessments and support for people with asthma (85%), a wider range of vaccinations (85%), and stop smoking services without needing a referral (84%). This supports our call to expand pharmacy respiratory services to help tackle winter health pressures.

Our Director of Communications, Corporate and Public Affairs, Zoe Long, said:

“Today’s YouGov polling has confirmed just how much the nation and the wider NHS rely on community pharmacies, as well as the strong public support for pharmacies to provide even more health services.

Despite being under huge pressures themselves, community pharmacies provide critical services and they remain our most accessible healthcare assets. Millions of people are continuing turn to pharmacies for healthcare advice, particularly as they struggle to access other parts of the NHS.

The Government must make the most of this valuable, accessible network and put community pharmacies at the heart of their upcoming NHS 10-Year Health Plan.”