Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2023-2026

See the Executive Summary below or read the full article:

• Wandsworth PNA 2023-2026 (PDF)
• Wandsworth PNA 2023-2026 (MS Word)

Executive Summary

Introduction

All Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWB) have a statutory responsibility to publish and keep up to date a statement of needs for pharmaceutical services for their population every three years. This is called the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA). The purpose of the PNA is twofold, namely to:

• support NHS England in their decision-making related to applications for new pharmacies, or changes of pharmacy premises and/or opening hours.
• support local commissioners in decisions regarding services that could be delivered by community pharmacies to meet the future identified health needs of the population

This PNA provides an overview of the demographics and health and wellbeing needs of the Wandsworth population. It also captures patients’ and the public’s views of pharmacy services they access. It assesses whether the current provision of pharmacies and the commissioned services they provide meet the needs of the Wandsworth residents and whether there are any gaps, either now or within the lifetime of the document, from the date of its publication to the 21st June 2026. It assesses current and future provision with respect to:

• Necessary Services, i.e., current accessibility of pharmacies and their provision of Essential Services
• Other Relevant Services and Other Services including Advanced and Enhanced Pharmacy Services. These are services commissioned by NHS England, South West London ICB, or the London Borough of Wandsworth.

Methodology

In July 2022, a steering group of key stakeholders was established to oversee the development of the PNA with overall responsibility of ensuring it met the statutory regulations. The process included:

• a review of the current and future demographics and health needs of the Wandsworth population determined on a locality basis, drawing from the Wandsworth JSNA
• a survey to Wandsworth patients and the public on their use and expectations of pharmaceutical services and an equality impact assessment
• a survey to Wandsworth pharmacy contractors to determine their capacity to fulfil any identified current or future needs
• an assessment of the commissioned Essential, Advanced, Enhanced and Other pharmaceutical services provided in Wandsworth.

The PNA consultation draft was published for a 60-day formal consultation between the period of 14th December 2022 to the 13th February 2023. Responses to the consultation were considered by the steering group before final publication of the PNA in March 2023.

Findings

Key population demographics of Wandsworth

The London Borough of Wandsworth is a South West London borough with an estimated population of 327,010. This population is projected to increase by 2.2% to 334,231 in the lifetime of this PNA. The largest increase will be seen in Queenstown ward due to 4,476 new dwelling developments planned in the area (Housing-led population projections, 2021).

While there is less deprivation in Wandsworth compared to England as a whole, there are pockets of deprivation across the borough. In total, eight of the borough’s 179 LSOAs are among the most deprived 20% in England (Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government).

Key population health needs of Wandsworth

Overall, life expectancy and healthy life expectancy for both males and females in Wandsworth is similar to the national picture. COVID-19, circulatory diseases and cancers were the biggest causes of life expectancy gap between the most and least deprived in the borough. Wandsworth is doing better than or similar to, national figures in terms of the risk-taking behaviours explored in this PNA. However, there were a couple of areas of concern (OHID, Public Health Outcomes Framework, 2022). These were:

• low flu vaccination coverage for the over 65 and ‘at risk’ populations in Wandsworth
• low screening coverage for cervical, breast and bowel cancers

Patient and public engagement

A patient and public survey was disseminated across Wandsworth to explore how people use their pharmacy and their views on specific ‘necessary’ pharmaceutical services. A total of 188 people responded.
The majority of respondents chose their pharmacy because it is where their GP sends their prescriptions, it is in a good location, and they are happy with the overall experience provided by the pharmacy. Nearly all respondents (96%) can reach their pharmacy in 20 minutes or less. No substantial differences or identified needs were found amongst protected characteristics groups and pharmacy usage.

Health and Wellbeing Board statements on service provision

There are 60 community pharmacies located within the London Borough of Wandsworth. There is also a further 111 located within a mile of Wandsworth’s borders.

The PNA steering group, on behalf of the Health and Wellbeing Board has assessed whether the current and future pharmacy provision meets the health and wellbeing needs of the Wandsworth population. It has also determined whether there are any gaps in the provision of pharmaceutical service either now or within the lifetime of this document, from the date of its publication to the 21st June 2026.

The London Borough of Wandsworth is well served in relation to the number and location of pharmacies and is supported by a wealth of pharmacy provision in neighbouring boroughs.

There is good access to essential, advanced, enhanced and other pharmaceutical services for the residents of Wandsworth with no gaps in the current provision of these services identified.

However, there will be a need for future provision of essential services in Queenstown Ward where there are planned new dwelling developments and a new health centre opening. This will lead to an increase on the demand for pharmacy provision in the area which will need to be monitored and addressed.