Pharmacists reported “high levels” of patient satisfaction with Pharmacy First after the first week of the service, according to a survey of National Pharmacy Association members.

Nine in 10 of nearly 100 members who responded to the poll said “most or all patients expressed satisfaction” with the service they received and 56 per cent of members felt “motivated” by Pharmacy First.

However, 70 per cent said they felt “under additional pressure” to deliver it and 31 per cent said the service proved “harder to implement” than they had expected.

The NPA said some pharmacists coped well, with 20 per cent revealing they scheduled “windows of time throughout the day” in order to provide Pharmacy First consultations and “maintain the core pharmacy service.”

More than half, 56 per cent, said they wanted to “offer more NHS advice and treatment” through Pharmacy First.

 NPA chair Nick Kaye said the poll’s findings were encouraging but also cautioned that “implementing the service is by no means easy.”

“After just a few days, it is already apparent that pharmacies in England are delivering important benefits though Pharmacy First,” he said.

“We commend our members for their efforts and their agility in making this an initial success, despite the challenges of introducing new processes and managing overall workflow in the pharmacy, not to mention the excruciating funding situation.”

The NPA reminded its members that it offers resources to help them provide Pharmacy First consultations.