Mystery shopping the accessibility of Islington pharmacies

Summary

• The size and layouts of pharmacies varied hugely. Some were easily accessible and offered a large range of NHS services, others were limited in size and seemed to provide more basic pharmacy services such as medicine dispensing and advice.
• It was striking how much accessibility varied across pharmacies. Physical accessibility, particularly for those with a wheelchair or buggy, was limited in a number of cases.
• Automatic doors can make pharmacies more accessible for residents who are physically disabled or frail, but the majority of pharmacies did not have them.
• The additional NHS-funded services on offer at local pharmacies are not clearly advertised.