SIS has gathered insight into pharmacy services in Brighton and Hove for people with language needs. This work was funded by the NHS Sussex Health Inequalities Grant.
Background:
As part of the national research conducted by Healthwatch Pharmacies: What People Want project, SIS supported Brighton & Hove Healthwatch to identify and interview a refugee or migrant. This research influenced the design and delivery of NHS Pharmacy First which enables pharmacists to treat and prescribe medication for seven common conditions that may have previously required a GP appointment. The pharmacist can assess symptoms, provide treatment, and prescribe medication if needed. If the condition is more serious, they will refer the person to a GP or hospital.
Project Activities:
SIS set out to gather further insight into the experience of pharmacy services for people with language needs. This was done in two strands:
- Disseminating NHS Sussex translated posters about Pharmacy First to SIS Service Users and Linguists, and then asking for feedback on the usefulness of the translated posters. Translated versions of the Pharmacy First poster were provided by NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board. The poster translations are available in 7 languages; Arabic, Farsi, Gujarati, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Kurdish Sorani. The English version is here.
- Supporting SIS Service Users to take part in the 2024 Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (commissioned by B&H City Council) by sending out first language SMS directly to SIS Service users with the survey link and instructions on how to access the translated version of the survey.
Summary Recommendations:
1. Pharmacy First translated resources:
- People who speak a first or preferred language other than English need culturally appropriate, accessible, translated information about the Pharmacy First services.
- These translated resources are useful but additional consultation is required to improve on the suitability of content and vocabulary choices for language communities.
- Distribution channels for translated resources need to be considered so that the target audience can access and make use of them.
2. Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment:
- Continue embedding translation tools into all public surveys.
- Improve access to surveys by budgeting for translation and distribution of information and instructions directly to residents who have a language need.
- Regularly republicise interpreting provision and how to access it to Community Pharmacies in the city.
The full report can be accessed here on the SIS website, or alternatively on the NHS Sussex Insight Bank.
