Young Person’s Pharmacy Services

Our report explores the views and experiences of under 25’s use of pharmacy services in County Durham.

Healthwatch County Durham was approached by the Local Pharmaceutical Committee, and asked to carry out some research into under 25’s use of pharmacy services. Accident and Emergency Departments have seen an increase in the number of young people using the department for ailments that could be treated by either a GP, Advanced Nurse Practitioner or a Pharmacist.

Recommendations

  • Hold an information roadshow for local schools, colleges and Durham University. Talking to groups of students about the training a pharmacist has to undertake and how this is comparable to GPs and Advanced Nurse Practitioners will go some way to increasing that levels of confidence that young people have in a pharmacist
  • Look at producing a briefing for parents, teachers, youth workers and those who have direct contact with young people (school staff, youth workers etc) to inform them of the services that are offered and how they can be accessed
  • Review the language used to describe services for example, the minor ailment scheme
  • Develop an online advertising campaign, with easy to understand information about the different local pharmacy services with ‘real time’ information on how and where they can be accessed
  • Consider an online ‘chat’ facility where young people can ask a pharmacist direct questions about their health and can be signposted to local services accordingly

Downloads

If you need this information in a different format please contact us:

healthwatchcountydurham@pcp.uk.net

0800 304 7039

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