Existing pharmacy services across Southampton are sufficient to meet the current and future needs of residents, according to a new report.

Almost all of the city’s population are said to live within a 20-minute walk of a community pharmacy.

The draft pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA) for Southampton is set to go out for consultation in the new year after being presented to the city council’s health and wellbeing board.

Robin Poole, consultant in public health with the local authority, said as of September this year there were 38 pharmacies in the city.

Speaking at a health and wellbeing board meeting on Wednesday, December 11, Mr Poole said: “The conclusion of this draft report ahead of that public consultation is that the number, the distribution and the choice of pharmaceutical services does meet the current and future needs of the city up to the next three year period.

“This is based on good geographical spread of community pharmacies across the city.”

He said the number of pharmacies relative to population numbers was “broadly similar” to the national average and neighbouring authorities.

The board heard that 99 per cent of Southampton households were within a 20-minute walk of a community pharmacy, while delivery services were also available.

Cllr Alex Houghton, Conservative shadow cabinet member for adults and health, said he could not see any reference to what changes had taken place since the last needs assessment had been carried out three years ago.

He told the board: “I say that mostly because where a pharmacy was closed in an area I represent, I’m getting a lot of feedback that the pharmacy that remains on that particular high street in Woolston is really struggling to cope with demand.”

Mr Poole said at the time of the last assessment there were 40 pharmacies across the city, so this had gone down by two sites.

He added: “Every time there is a closure or a change, we are informed and our data analytical team will take that into account and consider whether the PNA is still suggesting the provision is sufficient.”

Members of the health and wellbeing board approved the recommendation for the draft PNA to go out for a 60-day statutory public consultation.