Residents in North Yorkshire and York are being encouraged to share their views on local pharmacy services through a new public survey.
The feedback will help public health teams from North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council assess whether pharmacies’ location, accessibility, and services are meeting community needs. This consultation will inform the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA), a report required every three years to guide decisions on pharmacy services.
The survey, launched on Monday, 20th January, will remain open until Sunday, 2nd March. Responses will influence key decisions, including pharmacy locations, opening hours, and the services offered, from dispensing prescriptions to medication counselling.
Councillor Michael Harrison, executive member for health and adult services at North Yorkshire Council and chair of the North Yorkshire Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “Pharmacy services play a vital role in supporting health and wellbeing, with pharmacies often found in the heart of our communities. Good access to the right services at the right time is so important in helping to address health inequalities.”
City of York Council’s executive member for health, wellbeing and adult social care, Councillor Lucy Steels-Walshaw, added: “Pharmacies are an important part of healthcare provision across our communities, so I’m urging everyone to have their say. The findings from the survey will help us understand where pharmacies are performing well and identify any gaps in service delivery.”
Public health directors Louise Wallace (North Yorkshire) and Peter Roderick (York) highlighted the importance of public input: “Your feedback, combined with the expertise of health professionals, will help shape the future of pharmacy services for individuals, families, and carers of all ages. Please consider completing the survey, which is available online or in paper form at main libraries.”
The survey is anonymous, confidential, and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Residents can access it at www.northyorks.gov.uk/nypna. Paper copies are available at all main libraries.