Winter Pharmacy Services Market Testing
Throughout November 2025, Healthwatch teams across the North East and North Cumbria worked together to understand how well people know about the new services available at their local pharmacy.
This market testing was part of a wider effort to support winter pressures in primary care by encouraging people to use pharmacies for help with seven common conditions, without needing a GP appointment. These include things like sore throats, earaches, and skin rashes.
Healthwatch staff will be speaking with local communities to find out:
- Have people seen any adverts or messages about pharmacy services?
- Do they understand what the campaign is asking them to do?
- Would they choose a pharmacy instead of waiting for a GP?
- What would help them feel more confident using their local pharmacy?
- Where do they usually notice health messages, online, in shops, or elsewhere?
The aim was to reach a wide range of people, including those who may not usually engage with health campaigns, and to gather insights that will help shape future communications and improve access.
This work will be reported on by the end of January 2026, highlighting how collaboration has supported public understanding and encouraged more people to use pharmacy services as a first point of contact.
