Healthwatch Cambridgeshire recently brought together a representative panel of thirty members of the public from across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to give their views on local healthcare funding.

The panel debated two key issues:

• availability of over the counter medicines on prescription
• emergency and urgent care.

Over the counter medicines

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough’s NHS Clinical Commissioning Group spent £117 million on prescriptions in 2018. This included £5.3 million for medicines that people could have bought over the counter.

Panellists wanted to see people take personal responsibility for their health. But they felt there was a need for better education and information to help people do this. They also wanted a safety net in place for vulnerable people so they didn’t go without medication if they couldn’t afford to pay for it.

Urgent and emergency care

The second panel considered whether people should be redirected to other NHS services if they arrive at A&E but do not need emergency treatment. The panellists:

• wanted those most in need in A&E to be seen first
• supported redirecting people who did not need emergency services
• wanted better information and signposting for people about the options available.

More information about these panels is available on the Healthwatch website here.