Davey’s Chemists, an independent pharmacy chain in Knowsley, Merseyside, has received the Department of Health’s (DH) You’re Welcome accreditation, as part of an initiative to make services friendly to young people.

Davey’s Chemists is the first independently owned pharmacy group to receive the accreditation, which recognises the choice and quality of the service it offers.

Contractor John Davey decided to work closely with a group of local teenagers who took part in mystery shopping exercises and provided feedback about how the pharmacies could cater for young people’s needs.

The group became involved with the project through Teenage Health in Knowsley (THinK), a joint venture between NHS Knowsley and Knowsley Council.

Mr Davey welcomed the news about the accreditation.

"The work of the THinK team and the young people we worked with should not be underestimated and the fact that we were able to get the perspective of young people definitely contributed to our success," he said.

To achieve the You’re Welcome accreditation pharmacies are assessed on quality criteria that include staff training and confidentiality and the sexual and reproductive health services they offer.