MP goes behind the scenes at the pharmacy

MP Helen Jones dropped in at a Warrington chemist’s shop for a behind-the-scenes look at the work of the healthcare team.
The Warrington North MP visited LloydsPharmacy on Station Road, Padgate during “Ask Your Pharmacist Week”.
Her visit focused on the professional advice and services on offer to the local community, in particular how the pharmacy is supporting the public and NHS this winter, for example by offering flu vaccinations. People who are eligible for a free NHS flu jab can attend community pharmacies for their vaccination, which is also offered privately for those that fall outside of the criteria* but want to protect themselves and their families this winter.
Ms Jones said: “Visiting the team at Padgate was an interesting opportunity to discuss the various initiatives LloydsPharmacy is currently running and how the NHS services they are delivering impact on the local residents.
“Pharmacists and their teams have the potential to play a very prominent role in promoting the health of the nation and provide much needed capacity to support the wider NHS. I was particularly interested to talk to staff about how this translates to day-to-day activity and the work they do to keep our community healthy.”
As well as observing the pharmacy team in action, the MP was keen to hear the pivotal role community pharmacists play, and the close working relationships they have with the NHS and GPs to deliver healthcare services to the locally.
Pharmacy manager Alison Prosser said, “I was delighted to have the opportunity to demonstrate the valuable role community pharmacy plays in healthcare to our local MP, especially during Ask Your Pharmacist Week. It’s great to share how we are committed to supporting local people and helping them to take responsibility for their own health.
“We were able to demonstrate that no health topic is off limits and that community pharmacy really can be the first port of call for a whole range of conditions.”
As well as the dispensing of medicines and a wide range of over-the-counter products, the pharmacy team offers health advice and professional services such as diabetes and blood pressure screening, as well as consultations on smoking cessation and asthma inhaler technique, in the discreet and comfortable environment of the private consultation room.