A new assessment of pharmacy services on the Island does not address the real issues concerning Islanders, the Isle of Wight council leader has said.
These include obtaining medication, short-notice closures and retention and recruitment of staff.
Peacey-Wilcox: PNA did not deal with issues Islanders were worried about
Isle of Wight council leader Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox told the IW Health and Wellbeing Board last week it saddened her that the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA), did not deal with the real issues Islanders were worried about.
The board accepted the PNA, a technical document which determines whether existing services on the Island are enough or identifies gaps in the provision.
Cllr Peacey-Wilcox said she hoped in the future these matters could be reflected.
Technical document
The Island’s public health director, Simon Bryant agreed it was technical, but said it was a legal duty that has to be carried out and NHS England sets its content.
Dyer: Working to keep pharmacies open
Michaela Dyer, Isle of Wight manager of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB), said she recognised people’s main concerns were about accessibility and issues with pharmacies that are closed, predominantly due to the issues in recruiting pharmacists.
She said,
“The work we are doing is very much with the large companies to keep pharmacies open, particularly in places where we know we have had recent closures.
“While this is a technical document, the work is focused on the operational side and keeping things going.”
Bryant: Move forward in a collaborative way
Mr Bryant said,
“We will work closely with partners to meet the needs of Islanders and see what else we want to learn about pharmacies and how we move this forward in a collaborative way.”
Gaps in services identified
In the consultation of the PNA, 67 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed there were gaps in services which had not been highlighted.
However, the overall finding of the PNA concluded the number, distribution and choice of services on the Island met the current population’s needs until 2025.
The PNA will help the ICB and public health teams commission services in the future if necessary.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
