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Samir Vohra, MRPharmS, is community
pharmacy development specialist at Chorley & South Ribble Primary
Care Trust, Jubilee House, Lancashire Business Park, Centurion
Road, Leyland, Lancashire
PR1 6UU
e-mail samir.vohra@chorley-pct.nhs.uk |
Abstract
Aim
To determine patients' views on a minor ailment scheme (MAS) in order to inform future service development.
Design
Confidential questionnaire survey
Subjects and setting
Patients who had accessed the Chorley & Ribble Primary Care Trust MAS
in its first six months and who had given their consent to participate.
Results
Almost all respondents were positive about the scheme, will use it again
and will recommend it to others. Respondents liked the scheme because they
were now able to get free medicines at the pharmacy without recourse to
a GP prescription (97%), and because they did not have to make an appointment
with the GP (96%). Most respondents appreciated that the scheme gave them
the choice of having their minor ailment treated elsewhere (93%) and they
could get medical advice without going to a surgery (88%). Most respondents
agreed the scheme saved them time, it was easier to see the pharmacist
than the GP and their access to treatment had improved. Where minor ailment
treatment and advice on medicines are concerned, around 70% of respondents
are equally satisfied with consulting a pharmacist as they would be with
consulting their GP. However, almost 25% of respondents expressed uncertainty
on this. Nevertheless 93% of respondents would return to a pharmacist for
treatment of a minor ailment. While most respondents considered the range
of illnesses covered by the scheme satisfactory, half wanted further conditions
added.
Conclusions
People who have accessed the MAS found it to be effective in terms of providing
rapid and convenient access to advice and treatment.
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The
Pharmaceutical Journal