PATIENTS are being given a chance to have their say about community pharmacies and the services they could offer.

Health bosses at NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney (NHS GYW) are asking members of the public to let them know what they think about a number of proposed recommendations that might be made to pharmacy services.

The 15 recommendations include offering health checks for people aged 40 to 74 years, increasing stop smoking services and offering emergency contraception as well as sexual health tests, such as Chlamydia.

A public consultation is being launched to ask people what they think about the recommendations, which were made as part of a pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA) carried out on behalf of the community.

Francoise Price, deputy head of prescribing and medicines management at NHS GYW, said: “The PNA is like a snapshot of all the community pharmacies and the services they offer at the moment. As part of this work we want to ask the public for their views.

“We have looked at all the pharmacies over the last few months and now we want to hear from anyone who may have a view.

“Everyone has used – or will use – a pharmacy at some stage in their life but it’s only when they need it, they may feel there is something else that could be provided.”

Members of the public can take part in the consultation by visiting www.gywpct.nhs.uk or collecting a consultation form from their pharmacy or GP surgery. They can also pick one up from NHS GYW at 1 Common Lane North, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 9BN. The consultation runs until 9 November.

If you have a medical issue you can also call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.