The latest strategy to improve women’s health came with sobering, yet sadly all too relatable, headlines.
Women are falling through the gaps in the NHS. Struggling to access services, feeling their concerns are not being heard, and battling with unacceptably long waits for both treatment and diagnosis.
This latest strategy focuses on the improvements that should be made within primary care, maternity, genecology and cancer services. Notably because this is where many of the failings have been found.
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But though pharmacy’s role in contraception and potential for HPV vaccines was mentioned in the report, the lack of engagement with the vital role community pharmacy can – and indeed, already does – play in trying to achieve health parity feels like a missed opportunity.
Hiding in plain sight
For women, community pharmacy is arguably the most accessible front door to NHS care.
The majority of footfall into pharmacy is female, especially for women under the age of 44.
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Women visit pharmacies more often than men. They book more of the consultations and they collect more of the prescriptions dispensed. Not just for them, but also their families.
Women have made pharmacy their first port of call for managing their health, accessing NHS and private services for sexual health and contraception, menopause and menstrual health, in increasing numbers.
Because of this pharmacy has grown to become a rich source of data and insight into the healthcare needs of women. This presents a big opportunity for the NHS.
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With more collaboration across the NHS, the insights collected by pharmacy could prove to be a powerful tool in enabling earlier intervention, and ultimately better outcomes for women.
Recognise and record
The care pharmacy delivers spans far beyond clinical services and pathways. Lots of care is being provided by pharmacy off the books and in the margins, such as informal conversations over the counter, ad hoc consultations in busy dispensaries, and one-off interactions.
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This is all vital care that women are seeking out, and that pharmacy is stepping up to deliver – often without recognition or reward. But it’s also care that is rarely recorded, followed up, or connected to the wider healthcare system.
This marginal care, if properly funded and recorded via GP Connect within the patient record, could provide the extra detail the NHS needs to improve the health of women, while also fostering closer working between pharmacy and primary care.
Gaping
Many women’s health needs are not one-off events. Contraception requires review, menopause support evolves over time, and repeat presentations can signal unmet need.
Insights that can help the NHS to not only evolve the support and services it commissions for women, but also so pharmacy can evidence demand and the added value it brings.
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Pharmacy has a proven blueprint for engaging with patients with the greatest need, which we’ve seen in practice through the expanded NHS Contraception Service. It’s also why it’s been called upon to help boost take up of the HPV vaccine.
Women’s health doesn’t need more access points to NHS care. It needs a system that’s better connected, where care is consistent and convenient. Where insights are captured and shared, and collaboration isn’t just welcomed, but actioned.
Through their increasing numbers visiting pharmacy women have already made it clear that it’s their front door to the NHS. Now, we just need the opportunity that brings to be properly recognised and rewarded.
Tracey Robertson is managing director of Cegedim Rx