Pharmacy First
The impact of pharmacy-led schemes on reducing GP visits and organisational changes affecting Healthwatch Brent's related project are currently being discussed.
Healthwatch Brent, which has a project to assess community awareness of pharmacy services, is facing capacity issues amidst national changes to health and social care. A report to the Brent Health and Wellbeing Board in November 2025 outlined recommendations for transferring local Healthwatch functions to Integrated Care Boards and local authorities, with a potential timescale of October 2026.
In Islington, a Self-Care Medicines Scheme (SCMS), which provides free medicines for common ailments, is significantly reducing the number of residents needing to visit their GP. An update to the North Central London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee in July 2025 reported that 84% of patients using the SCMS would have otherwise visited their GP.
Pharmacy First is a service enabling patients to receive advice and NHS medicines for common health conditions directly from a pharmacist, without a GP appointment. Firm dates for the transfer of Healthwatch Brent's functions are expected, which may impact its project assessing community awareness of these services.
Key facts
- Healthwatch Brent is working towards a potential transfer of its functions by October 2026. Source
- A report to the Brent Health and Wellbeing Board in November 2025 noted Healthwatch Brent's capacity issues. Source
- 84% of 10,998 patients using the Self-Care Medicines Scheme would have visited their GP. Source
- The North Central London JHOSC received an update on community pharmacy services in July 2025. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.