Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2022-25

Providers of local community pharmaceutical services have a crucial role to play in improving the health of local people. They are often the first point of contact, especially for those who might otherwise struggle to access health services. Improved use of the skills and abilities of community pharmacists, in particular, working in partnership with other service providers, will play an important part in achieving the strategic goals of the NHS.

Every three years, the Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) has to publish a statement of the needs for community pharmaceutical services across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This is referred to as a pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA). Community pharmaceutical services include local chemists, dispensing doctors (doctors that can dispense medication to patients in rural areas) and dispensing appliance contractors (businesses which dispense medical appliances such as catheters).

The PNA helps identify whether there are any gaps in the provision of pharmaceutical services across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly which means identifying if any new services, improvements or better access to existing services, are needed. The PNA considers the demographics of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly population, its health priorities, as well as how pharmaceutical services can contribute to improving the health of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly residents now and in the future.

Who will use the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment?

The PNA will be used by NHS England, Cornwall Council, and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board to make decisions when applications for new pharmacies are received, and for the commissioning of other services that could be delivered by community pharmacies and other providers.

Who are we consulting and why?

The consultation is open to the entire resident population of both areas and we welcome the views from anyone living in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly who has an interest in the provision of pharmaceutical services or anyone providing pharmaceutical services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Your comments will inform the final Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment.

Have your say

The consultation is now open and will close on the Friday 30 September 2022. Please read the Draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment and related Primary Care Network Profiles (available on this page) and share your views.

Please complete our survey below and have your say on pharmacy services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.