Blackburn with Darwen Care Trust Plus is asking people to have their say on the pharmaceutical services that are provided in the borough.
The trust is putting together a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) to look at what services are currently being offered and to identify any gaps where new ones might be needed.
The Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment will look at the roles of community pharmacies and other pharmaceutical services such as online pharmacies, hospital outreach teams and appliance contractors that supply medical appliances like colostomy bags.
The aim of the assessment will be to ensure there is adequate provision of core services like the supply of medicines and additional services like healthy lifestyle advice, stop smoking support and emergency hormonal contraception.
The PNA is still in its draft form and feedback is being sought from the borough’s residents and healthcare professionals that work in the area, so that important issues are not missed.
Neil Matthewman, managing director of health services, said: “I would encourage everyone who wants to have a say on how we can improve the health of our population to get involved.”
Feedback on the PNA is being accepted until January 14 2011.
All responses will be kept secure and confidential. They will contribute to the final PNA and to future service development and planning.
To contribute visit www.bwd.nhs.uk/general-information/pharmaceutical-needs-assessment/ or contact Lindsay Holden, Head of Medicines Management, on lindsay.holden@bwd.nhs.uk or (01254) 282087.
