Healthwatch in Sussex pharmacy poll 2026

Pharmacy poll 2026

In January 2026, Healthwatch in Sussex (HWiS) sought experiences of people using pharmacy services, including Pharmacy First. This poll was a replica of one previously undertaken by HWiS in July 2024 to better understand any changes or improvements.

548 people from across Sussex shared their views with us. 

We heard:

• Approximately half our respondents were aware of the condition’s pharmacies can treat and services they offer (e.g. vaccinations).
• The pharmacy treatments or services that respondents were least aware of were shingles, oral contraception, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• Pharmacy services used most were Flu (46%) and COVID (35%) vaccinations. Least used, were stop-smoking services and emergency oral contraception (both 0.7%).
• If respondents had not used services offered by pharmacies, most would contact their GP (60%), a nurse at their local surgery (29%), or NHS 111 by phone (16%) instead.
• Respondents were most satisfied with ‘helpfulness of advice’ (78%) and ‘waiting times to be seen’ (74%). Respondents were least satisfied with ‘being unable to discuss issues in private’ (6%) and ‘wait times to be seen’ (6%).  
• 31% of respondents were impacted by lack of available medication in pharmacies, 12% by pharmacy opening hours, and 6% by the physical accessibility of pharmacies.
• Respondents wanted more convenient opening times, more staff, shorter waits for prescriptions/medication, and better information on services pharmacies offer.

Compared to our 2024 pharmacy poll (see here):

• Public/user awareness of the services or support offered by pharmacies, including Pharmacy First, were relatively high in both 2026 and 2024 (45% vs 42%), but rates of usage continue to appear relatively low in comparison.
• The pharmacy services or support our respondents used most frequently in 2026 were the same as in 2024: flu vaccinations (46% vs 24%); blood pressure checks (13% vs 7%); and treatments for sore throats (8% vs 5%).
• The pharmacy services or support our respondents used least frequently in 2026 were the same as in 2024: Impetigo (0.9% vs 0.6%); Oral contraception (0.7% vs 0.8%); and Stop smoking services (0.7% vs 1.4%).
• 2026 poll respondents indicated they were less likely to visit their GP (70% vs 60%) or practice nurse (32% vs 29%) for support with Pharmacy First conditions than in 2024. However, indicated a slightly higher likelihood of using A&E (5% vs 3%), NHS 111 by phone (16% vs 15%), and similar rates for using an Urgent Treatment Centre or Minor Injury Unit (8% vs 8%).  
• The services most identified by respondents as those they would turn to if they could not access them at a pharmacy remained the same in 2026 as in 2024. These were their GP (59.9% vs 69.4%), a nurse at their local practice (28.5% vs 32.3%) and NHS 111 by phone (16.2% vs 15.1%).  
• The issues most identified by respondents as affecting access to medication from a pharmacy were the same in 2026 as in 2024. These included lack of available medication (31% vs 34%); the pharmacy not being open when needed (12.2% vs 15.5%); and barriers due to pharmacy locations or accessibility (5.7% vs 4.8%).