Is Pharmacy First working for Rutland? Help us find out

Healthwatch Rutland is launching a new project to find out how well the Pharmacy First service is working for people across the county. Pharmacy First is designed to give quicker treatment for minor conditions and reduce pressure on GP services, but its success depends on how easy it is for people to use and how confident they feel doing so.

Over the coming months, we’ll be gathering insight to build a clear picture of how well Pharmacy First is working in Rutland - how accessible it feels, how confident people are using it and what gets in the way.

Alongside a short survey, our volunteers will be in local pharmacies listening to people’s experiences first hand. We’ll also meet with pharmacists and practice managers to understand how the service is operating within current primary care pressures. Together, these conversations will help us to highlight what’s working well, pinpoint any barriers and shape practical recommendations to improve uptake.

If you live in Rutland and have used Pharmacy First, or simply want to share your views, we’d really like to hear from you. Your experiences will help shape a service designed to make accessing care quicker, easier and more consistent for everyone.

Complete the snap survey

What does Pharmacy First involve?

Pharmacy First is the NHS service that allows pharmacists to supply prescription medicines including antibiotics and antivirals to patients, without reference to a GP for 7 specific conditions: 

Patients can walk in or be referred from NHS 111 or GP practice.