Your local pharmacies
Feedback updated 9 Oct 2025
We asked
We asked residents and other individuals about their experience of using pharmacies in Buckinghamshire. This was a preliminary exercise in the development of a new Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) for 2025 through to 2028. It is a legal requirement for the Buckinghamshire Health and Wellbeing Board, in common with the other Health and Wellbeing Boards across the country, to draw up a new PNA every three years to ensure that the pharmacy network in the area is meeting the needs of those that live and work there.
The survey was open from 6 January to 16 February 2025.
You said
A total of 197 people responded to the online survey.
The majority of respondents chose their pharmacy because it was where their GP sends their prescriptions, was close to their home or work, or they were 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 in their pharmacy usage.
An additional survey was distributed through Patient Participation Groups to gather insights into participants’ experiences with accessing pharmacy services, their expectations, and any further comments they wished to share. 101 people responded to that survey.
Overall, the feedback was positive: all but one respondent reported a satisfactory or good experience with accessing pharmacy services. A few additional comments highlighted concerns about occasional stock shortages and pharmacies being under pressure due to the number of services they offer.
View a detailed report on the survey feedback in Chapter 6 of the adopted PNA.
We did
The information gained in the survey was used to inform the next stage of development of the PNA. The responses showed that there is good pharmacy coverage in Buckinghamshire, and people generally have access to the pharmaceutical services they need.
The draft PNA then went out to statutory consultation with key stakeholders. There were six responses to the statutory consultation, indicating that there was a high level of stakeholder agreement with the findings of the PNA.
The PNA was adopted at a meeting of the Buckinghamshire Health and Wellbeing Board on 18 September 2025.
View the adopted Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2025-2028.
Overview
Healthy Dialogues, on behalf of local councils in West Berkshire, Reading, and Buckinghamshire, is conducting a survey to understand how pharmacy services meet the needs of residents.
Health and Wellbeing Boards within Local Authorities have a statutory duty to carry out a statement of needs for the pharmaceutical services for the populations they serve. This is known as a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA).
The Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) is used to ensure that pharmacy services meet the needs of the population in Buckinghamshire. This includes where services are and what services are provided by the pharmacy/pharmacies near you.
To help produce the PNA we would like to hear your views and experiences about the pharmacy services in your area. Your views are very important to us as they will enable us to understand the needs of the population to help shape future pharmacy services.
Who we want to hear from
We would like to hear from patients and the public who use pharmacies in Buckinghamshire.
What we are asking
We are asking people to share their experiences of using pharmacies in Buckinghamshire. This includes questions about the services provided by pharmacies, as well as their location and opening times.
The survey includes equality monitoring questions so we can make sure our services are provided fairly and to those who need them.
How to have your say
You can complete our survey online by clicking the link at the end of this page.
If you require any assistance completing this survey, or would like to receive this survey in a different format, or have any questions about the project, please contact Eleanor Thorne, email: pna@healthydialogues.co.uk.
Please tell us your views by 16 February 2025.
What happens next
The responses you provide will help to inform decisions on future applications for new pharmacies, or considerations for changes and adaptations at your local pharmacy.
When this survey closes, a draft report will be published for public consultation for 60 days. After this, a final report will be produced before October 2025.
Privacy
We will use the information you provide here only for this activity. We will store the information securely in line with data protection laws and will not share or publish any personal details. For more information about data and privacy, please see our Privacy Policy.
We will hold the data that you provide for our report until 1st October 2025. You will not be identified in any reporting of this data and you can contact us at pna@healthydialogues.co.uk to delete your response at any time.
If you have questions about data and privacy, please email us on dataprotection@buckinghamshire.gov.uk. Or write to our Data Protection Officer at Buckinghamshire Council, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8FF.
Areas
- All Areas
Interests
- Health
Share
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook