Healthwatch Gloucestershire has launched an online survey to uncover the extent to which pharmacy closures and reduced staffing is making it difficult for patients in the area to access medicines and services.

The survey, which is confidential, asks respondents how easy it is to pick up prescriptions from their pharmacy and whether they have “experienced issues” between their GP practice and pharmacy when trying to receive their prescription.

It also asks if their medicines have not been available or their prescription has not been dispensed in full and how easy it has been for them to access their preferred pharmacy.

Healthwatch Gloucestershire, who said it will publish the findings of the survey in a report, said respondents’ answers will help it “understand the main challenges faced by the public and pharmacy teams, allowing us to create evidence-based recommendations for local health and social care services.”

Healthwatch Gloucestershire added: “We are conducting research to explore the impact of community pharmacy closures on access to services, as well as the increased responsibilities being placed on pharmacy staff.”

Healthwatch Gloucestershire manager Lucy White said local people have told it pharmacy closures have forced them to travel further, while extra pressure on staff has held up prescriptions which has caused “anxiety for people who are on long-term medications.”

“We've also been hearing through our channels about medication shortages, that people have been offered alternative brands,” she told the BBC.