Luton Borough Council
27/06/2022 - Have your say on pharmacy services in Luton
Luton Council’s public health team has launched a consultation today (27 June) to seek your views that will help determine future pharmacy services in the town.
The council must prepare an assessment of the current and future needs of local people for pharmacy services, known as a pharmaceutical needs assessment, (PNA). The assessment identifies pharmaceutical services currently available in Luton as well as any gaps in services and makes recommendations on future developments.
Earlier this year, local residents were asked to give their views on pharmaceutical services in the area. Pharmacies were also surveyed regarding the services they provide and those they are willing to provide in the future. Feedback from the surveys have been incorporated into developing a draft pharmaceutical needs assessment.
We are now seeking views on the draft PNA which will help identify if pharmacies should be offering other services that will meet the needs of residents or whether existing services could be improved. It will also be used when deciding if new pharmacies are needed in the town.
The PNA will be used by the council, NHS England, Luton Council and Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group to help make decisions when applications for new pharmacies are received, and for the commissioning of other services that could be delivered by community pharmacies and other providers.
Cllr Khtija Malik, portfolio holder for public health, said: “The council is committed to helping local people live healthier lives and the Covid-19 pandemic has certainly highlighted the vital role pharmacies play in meeting community health needs.
“So it’s very important that you have your say and tell us what you think about our local pharmacies so that we can ensure they are easily accessible with suitable opening hours, are located in the most appropriate areas and offering the right service that meets individuals and family needs.
“The easiest way to share your views is by completing our survey online at engage.luton.gov.uk/pna3 however paper copies are available by calling our public health team on 01582 546334 or email [email protected].”
The pharmaceutical needs assessment is a statutory requirement placed on the Health and Wellbeing Board led by the council, which must be undertaken every three years.
All completed surveys must be received by 29 August 2022.
© 2024 Luton Council, Town Hall, Luton LU1 2BQ