It’s not too late to have your say on the future off pharmacies in Sefton!

You have until Monday 2nd December to tell us what you think about the pharmacies you use in Sefton? Are there enough? Are they in the right places, and open at convenient times?

What do you think?

Anyone can fill in the survey, but we really want to hear from people who may find it more challenging to get to a pharmacy or to explain their needs.

You link directly to the full survey here. 

All the background information you need is here

And you can find a shorter, simpler version here.

You can use this link to find other accessible print and online resources using the  ‘How can I take part in the survey?’ dropdown menu. 

Pharmacies for the future

Sefton Council’s Public Health team organise the survey every three years to help draw up the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment. The results are used to help plan services, including community pharmacies, for the future.

The Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment also helps businesses decide if they should apply to open a new pharmacy in Sefton.

Anyone who use local high street pharmacies and chemists can take part, but the team particularly want to hear from people who might find it harder to go to a pharmacy or get the help they need.

People with a physical or learning disability

This could include people with a physical or learning disability, or those with a hearing or sight impairment or other communication difference. It could also be people for whom English is a second language or who are on very low incomes,   and those with a temporary address or homeless. And people with other major difficulties in their life such as problems with alcohol or drugs, experience of abuse or neglect, or who feel isolated.

It is also valuable for the team to hear from people who are likely to use pharmacy services a lot because, for example, they have a serious physical or mental health condition.

Information to plan better services

Cllr Mhairi Doyle, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “I hope people will take part in the survey because it really helps us to get a picture of how and why they are using pharmacies and any problems they encounter when doing so.

“We can then use that information to plan better services for the future and to deal with any uses people are experiencing.”

Anonymous survey

The survey is anonymous. Only the small number of people who will write the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment will see the survey responses. Once the Assessment is written, the information collected will be disposed of confidentially.

A summary of the findings will be reported to Sefton Council’s Consultation and Engagement Panel early in 2025. It will also be publicised on the Council’s website.  A summary of the results and main points from this survey will also be included in the main PNA report, which will be published on the Sefton Council website in October 2025.

You can use this link to find your nearest pharmacy.