Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown PNA Locality Profile March 2025

Introduction

Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown PNA Locality has no gaps and is largely rural in area but surrounds an urban centre. The local area is in BCP Council. The proportion of older people in the local area is higher than the BCP and national average. There are 3 areas that are within the 20% most deprived in England.

Housing growth will be seen in Christchurch Town and Mudeford, Stanpit and West Highcliffe areas, provided these developments are completed. 

An analysis of health and the wider determinants of health highlights higher levels of cancer, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, stroke, hypertension and a greater proportion with caring responsibilities compared to England.

There are currently 14 pharmacies within the locality as of January 2025.

The following headings have been used to describe the PNA Locality in more detail:

  • number of pharmacies, openings hours and services
  • demographics
  • housing
  • deprivation
  • health and wider determinants

Figure 1: Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown PNA Locality map

This image is a detailed map of Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown PNA Locality. The icons on the map represent the locations of: 100 Hours Community Pharmacy (purple cross icon), 40 Hours Community Pharmacy (green cross icon), Dispensing Appliance Contractor (yellow cross icon), Distance Selling Pharmacy (orange cross icon), Closed Pharmacy (red cross with circle around it), Neighbouring 100 Hours Community Pharmacy (purple house with white cross), Neighbouring 40 Hours Community Pharmacy (green house with white cross), Neighbouring Dispensing Appliance Contractor (yellow house with white medical bag), Neighbouring Distance Selling Pharmacy (orange house with white computer screen) and GP Practice/GP Dispensing Practice (blue building with windows and door).

A map showing Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown PNA Locality with various icons represent the locations of 100 hour community pharmacies, 40 hour community pharmacies, Dispensing Appliance Contractor, Distance Selling Pharmacies and GP Dispensing Practices.

Number of pharmacies

As of January 2025, there are 14 pharmacies in Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown PNA Locality. There are no practices or branches of practices with dispensing doctors providing drugs and appliances to their own patients.

Of the 14 pharmacies, there are:

  • 14 providing Pharmacy First services
  • 7 independent pharmacies
  • 7 pharmacies owned by national pharmacy chains: 3 by Boots Pharmacy, 2 by Kamsons Pharmacy, one by Day Lewis Pharmacy and one by Rowlands Pharmacy
  • 14 pharmacies with 40-hour contracts and no pharmacies with 72-hour contracts
  • no distance-selling pharmacies
  • no pharmacies with local pharmaceutical services contracts
  • no dispensing appliance contractor (DAC)

The table below shows the provision in Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown Locality since the last PNA was published. There is no national expectation or standard on the ratio of pharmacies to population. These ratios do not consider the size and staffing of pharmacies which will determine the size of the population they are able to serve.

Number and rate of pharmacies and items dispensed in Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown PNA Locality, 2021/22 to 2024/25 (8 months).

Table 1: Pharmacy provision in Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown PNA Locality

Table listing annual pharmacy provision and dispensing activity in a BCP locality, showing population figures, number of pharmacies, and items dispensed per head from 2021/22 to 2024/25.
Financial year Area Population Number of pharmacies in latest month of FY Pharmacies per 100,000 population Number of dispensed items Items dispensed per head
2021/22 Locality 79,575 16 20.1 1,714,353 21.5
2022/23 Locality 78,834 16 20.3 1,746,544 22.2
2023/24 Locality 78,834 15 19.0 1,776,035 22.5
2024/25 (8 months) Locality - 14 - 1,196,308 -
2023/24 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole - 73 - 6,978,169 -
2023/24 South West 5,811,259 1,107 19.0 99,164,702 17.1
2023/24 England 57,690,323 12,009 20.8 1,112,920,890 19.3

Source: NHS Business Services Authority

Notes: Populations for locality and local authority are based on ONS mid-year population estimates. The population for each financial year is taken as the mid-year estimate for the first of the 2 years that make up the financial year. For example, for 2021/22 the population is taken as the mid-year estimate for 2021. If that year is not yet available, the latest available year is used.

Number of items dispensed

The total number of items dispensed in this locality so far in 2024/25 is 1,196,308. Of the total number of items dispensed in this locality:

  • 92.5% were prescriptions from GPs located in the same locality
  • 2.01% were prescribed from GPs in Boscombe and Poole East Locality
  • 0.17% were prescribed from GPs in Poole Locality
  • 0.38% were prescribed from GPs in Mid Bournemouth, Kinson and Wallisdown Locality
  • 4.92% of items were prescribed from GPs outside of BCP based localities

The dispensing proportions are highlighted in the pie chart.

Figure 2: Proportion of disposed items from Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown PNA Locality

The image contains a pie chart illustrating the distribution of dispensed pharmacy items in Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown. The pie chart breaks down the regional distribution: 92.5% from Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown (group 4), 2.01% from Boscombe and Poole East (group 2), 0.17% from Poole (group 1), 2.69% from Mid Bournemouth, Kinson and Wallisdown (group 3) and 4.92% from outside the area.

Pie chart showing regional distribution: 92.5% Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown, 2.01% Boscombe and Poole East, 0.17% Poole, 0.38% Mid Bournemouth, Kinson and Wallisdown and 4.92% Outside.

Pharmacy opening times

Access to the essential services (core plus supplementary opening hours)

As of January 2025, in Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown PNA Locality, there are:

  • no pharmacies open 7 days a week
  • 10 pharmacies open 6 days a week
  • 4 pharmacies open 5 days a week
  • no pharmacies open before 8am at least 5 days a week
  • no pharmacies open past 6:30pm at least 5 days a week

The opening hours over the week are shown in the bar chart below, with darker bars showing there are more pharmacies open between 9am and 6pm on weekdays, minimum coverage between 9am and 1pm on Saturdays and no coverage on Sundays.

Figure 3: Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown PNA Locality pharmacy coverage across the week, January 2025

The image is a bar chart illustrating pharmacy availability in Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown across the week. The x-axis shows time slots from 8am to 6pm, while the y-axis lists days from Monday to Sunday. Darker bars indicate higher numbers of pharmacies open at a given time.

Bar chart showing pharmacy availability by time and day. Darker bars indicate more pharmacies open. Weekdays show peak access from 9am to 6pm; Saturday has minimum coverage; Sunday has no coverage.

Provision of services

Below is a summary of the provision of advanced and enhanced services in Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown PNA Locality as of January 2025:

  • New Medicine Service (NMS) accreditation: 14 pharmacies. In 2023/24 (the last full year of data), there were 6,803 NMSs undertaken
  • Specialist Medicines provider: no pharmacies providing this service
  • influenza vaccination: 13 pharmacies providing this advanced service
  • stoma appliance customisation: one pharmacy providing this service
  • Appliance Use Reviews: no pharmacies provides this service. Many appliances will be dispensed by DACs based around the country, which may provide this service
  • NHS pharmacy contraception: 12 pharmacies providing this service
  • Lateral Flow Device test supply: 10 pharmacies providing this service
  • Hypertension Case-Finding: 14 pharmacies providing this service
  • stop smoking: 14 pharmacies providing this service

Demographics

Mid year resident population data show that there are approximately 79,000 people resident in this PNA Locality (37,600 males and 41,400 females).

52% of its residents are female, 48% are male. 30% are 65 years and older.

Compared to the BCP average, the local area has a lower proportion of people aged under 45 and a higher proportion of people aged 65 and over.

Compared to the national average it has a lower proportion of people aged under 18 and of working age but a higher proportion of people aged 65 and over.

Figure 4: Population proportion by 5 years age group

The image is a population pyramid chart comparing the age and gender distribution of populations in England and Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown. The chart displays age groups in 5-year intervals from 0 to 4 up to 90+, with the x-axis showing the proportion (%) of the population. The purple bars represent Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown, males are represented in dark purple and females in light purple. Overlay lines distinguish between national and local data: black lines for England and orange lines for BCP.

Population pyramid chart showing age and gender distribution for England and Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown. Age groups range from 0–4 to 90+, with males in dark purple and females in light purple. Black lines represent England; orange lines represent BCP. X-axis shows population proportion (%).

Source: Mid Year Population Estimates 2022

The area covered by the PNA Locality is largely rural with the highest population density near Pokesdown, Iford, Southbourne and Burton.

Over the next 3 years from 2025 to 2028 projections suggest the population of the BCP area overall will increase by 2.6 thousand (0.7%).

This growth is driven by increases in the population aged over 65, with the number of children and young people (aged 0 to 16) projected to decrease.

The number of over 65s is projected to increase by almost 5.2 thousand (6%) to 2025, compared to a decrease of around 2.6 thousand of children and young people. The working age population is forecast to remain roughly unchanged. By 2025 those aged 65 and over will account for 24% of the overall population.

Figure 5: Population density of Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown PNA Locality

The image is a map illustrating population density across Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown Locality in mid-2022, measured in people per square kilometre. Areas are shaded in varying intensities of purple to represent different density levels. The scale at the top ranges from 73 to 17,739 people per square kilometre.

Map showing population density in Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown Locality mid-2022, with areas shaded in purple. Density ranges from 73 to 17,739 people per square kilometre. Darker purple indicates higher population density.
 

Demographics (age, life expectancy and deprivation)

Source: Dorset Intelligence & Insight Service (DiiS) Primary Care - SystmOne, Office for National Statistics Population Estimates mid-2022 and Office for Health Improvement and Disparities

  • population count: 80,256
  • percentage of the population who are in each age group for the DiiS registered population: under 25= 24%, 25 to 64= 47%, 65 and over= 28%
  • percentage of the population who are in each age group as of the mid 2022 population estimates: under 25= 23%, 25 to 64= 47%, 65 and over= 30%
  • percentage of the population who are in the top 20% most deprived: 6%
  • percentage of the population who are in the top 20% of least deprived: 38%
  • female life expectancy for wards across Dorset: West Southbourne= 82.3 years, Burton and Grange= 83.3 years, Commons= 83.3 years, Littledown and Iford= 84.0 years, Highcliffe and Walkford= 84.6 years, East Southbourne and Tuckton= 84.8 years
  • male life expectancy for wards across Dorset: Commons= 79.0 years, Burton and Grange= 79.2 years, West Southbourne= 79.8 years, Christchurch Town= 81.6 years, East Southbourne and Tuckton= 82.2 years, Mudeford, Stanpit and West Highcliffe= 82.5 years

Demographics (employment, unpaid care and household characteristics)

Source: Dorset Intelligence & Insight Service (DiiS) Primary Care - SystmOne, Census 2021 and Department for Work and Pensions

  • percentage of the economically active aged 16+ population in employment: 96%
  • percentage of the working age (16 to 64) population who are on out of work benefits: 10%
  • percentage of residents who are disabled under the Equality Act: 19%
  • percentage of the population aged 16+ who are economically inactive and long term sick or disabled: 3%
  • percentage of households who have ownership or shared ownership of their accommodation: 73%
  • percentage of households who have socially rented accommodation: 10%
  • percentage of households who privately rent or live rent free: 17%
  • percentage of households who have no car or van: 15%
  • percentage of households who are lone parent households: 8%
  • percentage of households who are lone pensioner households: 19%
  • percentage of residents aged 5 and over who provide unpaid care: 10%
  • percentage of the DiiS population who are informal carers: 3%

Housing

To understand any increases in demand for services based on planned housing developments, planning applications with consent to build to 2029 in BCP and Dorset have been analysed. Postcodes (or the nearest existing postcode to the development site) have been matched to Wards and then to PNA Locality.

This gives a realistic picture of housing growth within the neighbourhood. The net level of development for this PNA Locality is approximately 789 dwellings. This is about 10% of the total net housing development for BCP.

The main areas of proposed development in the PNA local area are in Christchurch Town Centre (199) and Mudeford, Stanpit and West Highcliffe (123).

Deprivation

There are 3 lower super output areas (LSOAs) in this PNA Locality that are in the most deprived national quintile.

One LSOAs is among the most 40% deprived.

6% of its population live in the 20% most deprived areas of BCP.

6% of its residents live in the 20% most deprived areas of England.

Figure 6: Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Decile for Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown PNA Locality

The image is a map illustrating the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Decile for Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown PNA Locality. It uses a gradient of purple shades to represent deprivation levels, where darker purples indicate more deprived areas and lighter purples indicate less deprived areas. The decile scale ranges from 1 (most deprived) to 10 (least deprived). 

Map showing Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Decile for Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown PNA Locality. Darker purple indicates more deprived areas (decile 1); lighter purple indicates less deprived areas (decile 10). Scale ranges from 1 to 10.

Health and wider determinants

Long term conditions (LTCs)

Source: Dorset Intelligence & Insight Service (DiiS) Primary Care - SystmOne - 16 February 2025

  • population count: 80,256
  • population with 0 LTCs: 34,718
  • population with 1 LTC: 15,590
  • population with 2 LTCs: 9,692
  • population with 3+ LTCs: 20,256
  • count of the opted-in population who are frail: 14,154 - note this is for the opted in population only as of March 2024 with an update coming soon
  • count of the opted-in population aged 65+ who have a High Falls Risk: 407 - note this is for the opted in population only as of March 2024 with an update coming soon
  • count of the population who has each condition: other= 29,302, hypertension= 15,460, depression= 12,971, asthma= 9,765, cancer=6,833, diabetes= 5,039, diabetes Type 2= 4,553, coronary heart disease= 3,803, atrial fibrillation= 3,113, COPD= 1,683

Health and wellbeing

Source: Dorset Intelligence & Insight Service (DiiS) Primary Care - System One - 16 February 2025

  • population count: 80,256
  • percentage of the population are at risk of financial vulnerability: 6%
  • percentage of the population are at risk of social isolation: 24%
  • percentage of population at risk of digital exclusion: 22%
  • percentage of the population are smokers: 9%
  • percentage of the population aged 18+ and overweight or obese: 50%
  • percentage of the population in the Chronic life course segment: 42%
  • percentage of the population in the End of Life life course segment: 2%

Comparison with England average

To understand the health needs and wider determinants of health in the PNA Locality, a national profiling tool has been used. This compares local level data with the English average and highlights any areas that are significantly different.

The table below shows the data and for each indicator it highlights whether the value is lower or higher to national rates using a 99.8% confidence interval. An analysis of health needs within this PNA locality indicates a higher prevalence of several long-term conditions compared to the national average in England. These include cancer, coronary heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke and hypertension.

Table 2: Fingertips overview of health and wider determinants for Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown, 2023/24

This is a comparative table showing Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) prevalence rates for various health conditions across England, Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown Locality, and several GP practices for the year 2023/24. Conditions include cancer, coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, hypertension, COPD, asthma, diabetes, obesity, depression, mental health, and dementia. The table presents prevalence percentages for each condition, allowing comparison between national, regional, and local practice-level data.

Table legend:

  • all those without an asterisk = prevalence is higher than national average using a 99.8% confidence interval
  • * = prevalence is similar to the national average
  • ** = prevalence is lower than national average using a 99.8% confidence interval
Comparative table showing Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) prevalence rates for various health conditions across England, Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown Locality, and several GP practices for the year 2023/24.
Indicator Period England Christchurch and Southbourne PNA J81028 - Highcliffe Medical Centre J81056 - Christchurch Medical Centre J81057 - Farmhouse Surgery J81066 - Stour Surgery J81646 - Grove Surgery J81049 - The Marine and Oakridge Partnership J81059 - Southbourne Practice J91018 - Beaufort Road Surgery J81067 - Littledown Surgery
Cancer: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages) 2023/24 3.6 5.3 6.7 5.9 5.7 5.1 5.0 5.0 4.2 * 4.3 4.3 *
CHD: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages) 2023/24 3.0 4.6 6.1 5.4 4.6 4.0 4.7 4.1 3.4 * 3.8 3.8
Heart Failure: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages) 2023/24 1.1 1.7 2.2 1.7 1.3 * 1.5 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.8 1.4 *
Atrial fibrillation: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages) 2023/24 2.2 3.6 4.9 4.1 3.5 3.3 3.7 3.7 2.9 2.7 2.1 *
Stroke: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages) 2023/24 1.9 2.9 3.6 3.2 3.1 3.0 3.0 2.8 2.4 2.3 1.7 *
Hypertension: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages) 2023/24 14.8 17.8 23.3 18.2 16.6 18.9 17.9 19.1 13.7 * 14.9 * 13.0 **
COPD: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages) 2023/24 1.9 2.0 1.7 * 2.2 * 2.4 2.3 2.0 * 2.0 * 1.9 * 2.1 * 2.0 *
Asthma: QOF prevalence (Persons, 6+ years) 2023/24 6.5 7.6 8.6 7.7 7.1 * 7.2 * 7.5 * 7.5 7.4 7.4  6.5 *
Diabetes: QOF prevalence (Persons, 17+ years) 2023/24 7.7 7.2 ** 8.3 * 8.5 7.6 * 6.9 * 7.8 * 6.8 * 5.7 ** 5.7 ** 5.5 **
Obesity: QOF prevalence (Persons, 18+ years) 2023/24 12.8 9.8 ** 8.7 ** 10.7 ** 9.7 ** 12.3 * 9.3 ** 8.8 ** 9.2 ** 8.6 ** 11.7 *
Depression: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages) 2023/24 1.5 1.0 ** 1.1 ** 1.7 * 0.6 ** 0.5 ** 0.8 ** 0.6 ** 1.0 ** 1.0 ** 0.4 **
Mental health: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages) 2023/24 1.0 1.0 * 0.7 ** 1.0 * 0.9 * 0.7 * 0.8 * 1.1 * 1.5 1.3 0.5 **
Dementia: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages) 2023/24 0.8 1.2 1.6 1.2 0.8 * 0.9 * 1.7 2.3 0.9 * 0.9 * 0.6 *

Source: National General Practice Profiles in Fingertips 2023/24

Local health

Local Health provides evidence of inequalities within local areas aggregated to represent this PNA Locality.

The table below shows the data and for each indicator it highlights whether the value is significantly different to national rates using a 95% confidence interval. An assessment of the wider determinants of health reveals significantly worse outcomes in several key areas. The locality experiences more emergency hospital admissions for all causes and self-harm, increased incidence of breast cancer and a greater proportion of residents living with limiting long-term illness or disability.

Table 3: Local Health - Office for Health Improvement and Disparities overview of health and social indicators 2022

This table presents health and social indicators comparing Christchurch, Southbourne and Littledown Locality to England's national averages. Indicators include income deprivation, child poverty, older people in poverty, overcrowded housing, teenage pregnancies, low birth weight, and emergency hospital admissions for various conditions. Each indicator is accompanied by:

  • selection value - the local area's data
  • England value national average
  • England worst/best: extremes across England comparison between England and area value
This table helps identify areas of concern or strength in local health outcomes compared to national benchmark.
Indicators Selection value England value England worst Difference England best
Income deprivation (%) 9.1 12.9 50.7 significantly better than England 0.7
Child Poverty, Income Deprivation Affecting Children (%) 11.0 17.1 63.4 significantly better than England 0.6
Older People in poverty, Income deprivation affecting older people (%) 10.4 14.2 77.2 significantly better than England 1.2
Older people living alone (%) 30.6 31.5 63.3 significantly better than England 10.0
Overcrowded houses (%) 6.6 8.7 54.4 significantly better than England 0.2
Deliveries to teenage mothers (%) 0.0 0.7 8.7 significantly better than England 0.0
Low birth weight of live babies (%) 4.6 6.8 17.9 significantly better than England 1.3
Emergency hospital admissions for all causes (SAR) 105.0 100.0 217.7 significantly worse than England 32.1
Emergency hospital admissions for coronary heart disease (SAR) 111.0 100.0 353.1 significantly worse than England 25.2
Emergency hospital admissions for stroke (SAR) 109.9 100.0 265.2 significantly worse than England 28.9
Emergency hospital admissions for Myocardial Infarction (heart attack) (SAR) 97.8 100.0 301.9 not significantly different to England 21.4
Emergency hospital admissions for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (SAR) 78.6 100.0 589.2 significantly better than England 0.0
Emergency hospital admissions for hip fractures, persons aged 65 years and over (SAR) 107.8 100.0 421.5 significantly worse than England 0.0
Incidence of all cancer (SIR per 100) 99.7 100.0 170.3 not significantly different to England 39.1
Incidence of breast cancer (SIR per 100) 112.4 100.0 225.9 significantly worse than England 32.6
Incidence of colorectal cancer (SIR per 100) 95.7 100.0 274.8 not significantly different to England 32.5
Incidence of lung cancer (SIR per 100) 81.3 100.0 384.2 significantly better than England 20.7
Incidence of prostate cancer (SIR per 100) 108.3 100.0 232.9 not significantly different to England 22.7
Emergency hospital admissions for intentional self harm (SAR) 141.8 100.0 586.6 significantly worse than England 0.0
Hospital admissions for alcohol attributable conditions, (Narrow definition) (SAR) 110.6 100.0 470.8 significantly worse than England 26.1
Hospital admissions for alcohol attributable conditions (Broad definition) (SAR) 104.7 100.0 478.1 significantly worse than England 34.5
Limiting long-term illness or disability (%) 21.3 17.6 40.8 significantly worse than England 2.2
Deaths from all causes, all ages (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR)) 89.3 100.0 258.2 significantly better than England 38.3
Deaths from all causes, under 75 years (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR)) 76.9 100.0 299.3 significantly better than England 31.0
Deaths from all cancer, all ages (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR)) 90.8 100.0 205.3 significantly better than England 39.9
Deaths from all cancer, under 75 years (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR)) 81.6 100.0 246.4 significantly better than England 0.0
Deaths from circulatory disease, all ages (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR)) 93.0 100.0 241.3 significantly better than England 20.5
Deaths from circulatory disease, under 75 years (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR)) 73.9 100.0 332.5 significantly better than England 0.0
Deaths from coronary heart disease, all ages (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR)) 85.9 100.0 293.8 significantly better than England 0.0
Deaths from stroke, all ages (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR)) 110.4 100.0 388.6 not significantly different to England 0.0
Deaths from respiratory diseases, all ages (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR)) 74.5 100.0 331.1 significantly better than England 14.1
Deaths from causes considered preventable, under 75 years (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR)) 71.9 100.0 357.7 significantly better than England 16.8

Source: Local Health - Office for Health Improvement and Disparities 2022