Rowlands Pharmacy unveils first elite service pharmacies

Rowlands Pharmacy has announced the launch of its elite service pharmacies (ESPs) scheme, with sites in Ellesmere, Cumbernauld, Bala and Bangor named as the flagship branches.

This new initiative is being rolled out in areas that are not participating in the national healthy living pharmacy (HLP) programme, ensuring that these regions do not miss out on its benefits.

ESPs will be required to perform to the minimum requirements of HLPs at the very least and will conduct at least 400 medicine use reviews a year, while offering at least two enhanced or private services.

Rowlands has undertaken a series of redesigns across their pharmacy chain over the last three years, as part of efforts to offer a better health and wellbeing environment.

Kenny Black, managing director of Rowlands Pharmacy, said: "We want customers and patients to let us look after their general health and for that to be possible, they need to know that we work to the highest standards of customer service."

This comes after the firm announced the opening of its first outpatient dispensary in Merseyside in September 2012, after winning a seven-year contract with Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust.