West Dorset PNA Locality Profile March 2025

As of January 2025, there are 7 pharmacies in West Dorset PNA Locality. There are 3 practices and one branch of practices with dispensing doctors providing drugs and appliances to their own patients.

Of the 7 pharmacies, there are:

• 6 providing Pharmacy First services
• 2 independent pharmacies
• 5 pharmacies owned by national pharmacy chains: 3 by Jhoots Pharmacy, one by Boots Pharmacy and one by Well Pharmacy
• 7 pharmacies with 40-hour contracts and no pharmacies with 100-hour contracts
• no distance-selling pharmacy
• no pharmacies with local pharmaceutical services contracts
• no dispensing appliance contractors (DAC)

The table below shows the provision in West Dorset 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 West Dorset PNA Locality, 2021/22 to 2024/25 (8 months).

Table 1: Pharmacy provision in West Dorset PNA Locality

Table listing annual pharmacy provision and dispensing activity in a Dorset 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	39,534	7	17.7	688,910	17.4
2022/23	Locality	39,455	7	17.7	679,976	17.2
2023/24	Locality	39,455	6	15.2	678,096	17.2
2024/25 (8 months)	Locality	-	6	-	425,323	-
2023/24	Dorset	384,809	68	17.7	7,227,720	18.8
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.

The total number of items dispensed in this locality so far in 2024/25 is 1,015,366. Of the total number of items dispensed in this locality:

• 98.4% were prescriptions from GPs located in the same locality
• 0.21% were prescribed from GPs in Mid Dorset Locality
• 0.06% were prescribed from GPs in North Dorset
• 0.05% were prescribed from GPs in Weymouth and Portland Locality
• 0.01% were prescribed from GPs in Purbeck Locality
• 0.01% were prescribed from GPs in East Dorset Locality
• 1.27% of items were prescribed from GPs outside of Dorset based localities

The dispensing proportions are highlighted in the pie chart.

Figure 2: Proportion of disposed items from West Dorset PNA Locality

The image contains a pie chart illustrating the distribution of dispensed pharmacy items in West Dorset. The pie chart breaks down the regional distribution: 98.4% from West Dorset, 0.21% from Mid Dorset, 0.05% from Weymouth and Portland, 0.06% from North Dorset, 0.05% from Weymouth and Portland, 0.01% from Purbeck, 0.01% from East Dorset and 1.27% from outside the area. A legend next to the chart assigns colours to each locality: West Dorset (green), Outside (purple), Mid Dorset (pink), North Dorset (light green), Weymouth and Portland (yellow), Purbeck (dark yellow/brown), and East Dorset (grey).

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

As of January 2025, in West Dorset PNA Locality, there are:

• no pharmacies open 7 days a week
• 7 pharmacies open 6 days a week
• no 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 5:30pm on weekdays and 9am and 1pm on Saturday mornings.

Figure 3: West Dorset PNA Locality pharmacy coverage across the week, January 2025

The image is a bar chart illustrating pharmacy availability in West Dorset across the week. The x-axis shows time slots from 9am to 6pm, while the y-axis lists days from Monday to Sunday. Darker bars indicate higher numbers of pharmacies open at a given time.

Below is a summary of the provision of advanced and enhanced services in West Dorset PNA Locality as of January 2025:

• New Medicine Service (NMS) accreditation: 7 pharmacies. In 2023/24 (the last full year of data), there were 2,958 NMSs undertaken
• Specialist Medicines provider: no pharmacies
• influenza vaccination: 5 pharmacies providing this advanced service
• Appliance Use Reviews: no pharmacies providing this service. Many appliances will be dispensed by DACs based around the country, which may provide this service
• NHS pharmacy contraception: 6 pharmacies providing this service
• Lateral Flow Device test supply: 5 pharmacies providing this service
• Hypertension Case-Finding: 5 pharmacies providing this service
• stop smoking: 7 pharmacies providing this service

Mid year resident population data show that there are approximately 37,800 people resident in the West Dorset PNA Locality (18,000 males and 19,800 females).

48% of its residents are female, 52% are male. 36% are 65 years and older.

Compared to the Dorset average, West Dorset has a lower proportion of people aged under 49 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 West Dorset. 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 green bars represent West Dorset, males are represented in dark green and females in light green. Overlay lines distinguish between national and local data: black lines for England and orange lines for Dorset.

Source: Mid Year Population Estimates 2022

The area covered by the PNA Locality is largely rural with the highest population density around the town of Bridport.

Over the next 3 years from 2025 to 2028 population projections suggest the population of Dorset overall will increase by 4,300 (1.1%). This growth is driven by increases in the population aged over 65, with the number of children and young people (aged 0 to 16), and working age population projected to decrease.

The number of over 65s are projected to increase by almost 8,200 thousand (7%) to 2028, compared to a decrease of around 1,900 (-3%) for children and young people aged 0 to 16. The working age population is forecasts to decline by just under 2,000 (-1%). By 2025 those aged 65 and over will account for a third of the overall population.

Figure 5: Population density of West Dorset PNA Locality

The image is a map illustrating population density across West Dorset Locality in mid-2022, measured in people per square kilometre. Areas are shaded in varying intensities of green to represent different density levels. The scale at the top ranges from 25 to 13,473 people per square kilometre.

 

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: 36,085
• percentage of the population who are in each age group for the DiiS registered population: under 25= 20%, 25 to 64= 44%, 65 and over= 36%
• percentage of the population who are in each age group as of the mid 2022 population estimates: under 25= 19%, 25 to 64= 44%, 65 and over= 236%
• percentage of the population who are in the top 20% most deprived: 4%
• percentage of the population who are in the top 20% of least deprived: 4%
• female life expectancy for wards across Dorset: Bridport= 84.3 years, Lyme and Charmouth= 84.8 years, Beaminster= 84.9 years, Eggardon= 85.5 years, Marshwood Vale= 86.4 years, Chesil Bank= 87.3 years
• male life expectancy for wards across Dorset: Lyme and Charmouth= 80.4 years, Bridport= 80.7 years, Marshwood Vale= 81.2 years, Chesil Bank= 82.5 years, Eggardon= 82.5 years, Beaminster= 82.7 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: 12%
• percentage of residents who are disabled under the Equality Act: 21%
• 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: 70%
• percentage of households who have socially rented accommodation: 14%
• percentage of households who privately rent or live rent free: 16%
• percentage of households who have no car or van: 13%
• percentage of households who are lone parent households: 7%
• percentage of households who are lone pensioner households: 20%
• percentage of residents aged 5 and over who provide unpaid care: 10%
• percentage of the DiiS population who are informal carers: 4%

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 771 dwellings. This is about 9% of the total net housing development for Dorset Council.

Notable areas of development in this PNA locality are in Bridport (494) mainly on Vearse Farm and Beaminster (166).

There is one lower super output areas (LSOAs) in West Dorset PNA Locality that are in the most deprived national quintile. This LSOA is located in Bridport.

Six LSOAs are among the most 40% deprived.

27% of its population live in the 20% most deprived areas of Dorset.

3% of its residents live in the 20% most deprived areas of England.

Figure 6: Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Decile for West Dorset PNA Locality

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

Long term conditions (LTCs)

Source: Dorset Intelligence & Insight Service (DiiS) Primary Care - SystmOne - 23 February 2025

• population count: 36,086
• population with 0 LTCs: 38%
• population with 1 LTC: 20%
• population with 2 LTCs: 13%
• population with 3+ LTCs: 29%
• percentage of the opted-in population who are frail: 18% - note this is for the opted in population only as of March 2024 with an update coming soon
• percentage of the opted-in population aged 65+ who have a High Falls Risk: 1% - note this is for the opted in population only as of March 2024 with an update coming soon
• percentage of the population who has each condition: other= 40%, hypertension= 22%, depression= 20%, asthma= 14%, cancer=9%, diabetes= 7%, diabetes Type 2= 6%, coronary heart disease= 6%, atrial fibrillation= 5%, COPD= 3%

Health and wellbeing

Source: Dorset Intelligence & Insight Service (DiiS) Primary Care - System One - 23 February 2025

• population count: 36,086
• percentage of the population are at risk of financial vulnerability: 14%
• percentage of the population are at risk of social isolation: 28%
• percentage of population at risk of digital exclusion: 14%
• percentage of the population are smokers: 10%
• percentage of the population aged 18+ and overweight or obese: 50%
• percentage of the population in the Chronic life course segment: 47%
• 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 (CHD), heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, hypertension, asthma and dementia.

Table 2: Fingertips overview of health and wider determinants for West Dorset, 2023/24

This is a comparative table showing Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) prevalence rates for various health conditions across England, West Dorset 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, West Dorset Locality, and several GP practices for the year 2023/24.

Indicator	Period	England	Dorset West PNA	J81074 - Barton House Med Practice	J81076 - Ammonite Health Partnership	J81647 - Lyme Bay Medical Practice	J81609 - Malthouse Meadows Surgery
Cancer: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages)	2023/24	3.6	6.2	7.7	6.1	7.0	4.9
CHD: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages)	2023/24	3.0	5,2	6.1	5.1	5.8	4.6
Heart Failure: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages)	2023/24	1.1	2.3	2.5	2.4	2.6	1.5
Atrial fibrillation: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages)	2023/24	2.2	4.4	4.7	4.3	4.8	4.2
Stroke: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages)	2023/24	1.9	3.1	3.0	3.1	3.3	3.1
Hypertension: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages)	2023/24	14.8	20.3	24.0	18.9	21.1	21.3
COPD: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages)	2023/24	1.9	2.3	1.9 *	2.6	2.2 *	1.9 *
Asthma: QOF prevalence (Persons, 6+ years)	2023/24	6.5	8.8	9.2	8.8	8.1	9.0
Diabetes: QOF prevalence (Persons, 17+ years)	2023/24	7.7	7.3 **	7.2 *	7.4 *	6.7 *	7.3 *
Obesity: QOF prevalence (Persons, 18+ years)	2023/24	12.8	10.6 **	11.3 *	10.9 **	10.3 **	10.0 **
Depression: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages)	2023/24	1.5	1.1 **	1.8 *	1.1 **	1.3 *	0.4 **
Mental health: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages)	2023/24	1.0	1.1 *	0.9 *	1.1 *	1.1 *	0.9 *
Dementia: QOF prevalence (Persons, All ages)	2023/24	0.8	1.0	0.7 *	1.0	1.4	1.1

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 three key areas. The locality experiences a significantly higher incidence of prostate cancer, increased hospital admissions related to self-harm 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 West Dorset 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 (%)	9.5	12.9	50.7	significantly better than England	0.7
Child Poverty, Income Deprivation Affecting Children (%)	12.8	17.1	63.4	significantly better than England	0.6
Older People in poverty, Income deprivation affecting older people (%)	8.8	14.2	77.2	significantly better than England	1.2
Older people living alone (%)	29.5	31.5	63.3	significantly better than England	10.0
Overcrowded houses (%)	3.9	8.7	54.4	significantly better than England	0.2
Deliveries to teenage mothers (%)	0.0	0.7	8.7	not significantly different to England	0.0
Low birth weight of live babies (%)	6.6	6.8	17.9	not significantly different to England	1.3
Emergency hospital admissions for all causes (SAR)	77.6	100.0	217.7	significantly better than England	32.1
Emergency hospital admissions for coronary heart disease (SAR)	73.9	100.0	353.1	significantly better than England	25.2
Emergency hospital admissions for stroke (SAR)	95.1	100.0	265.2	not significantly different to England	28.9
Emergency hospital admissions for Myocardial Infarction (heart attack) (SAR)	89.7	100.0	301.9	significantly better than England	21.4
Emergency hospital admissions for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (SAR)	49.2	100.0	589.2	significantly better than England	0.0
Emergency hospital admissions for hip fractures, persons aged 65 years and over (SAR)	88.4	100.0	421.5	significantly better than England	0.0
Incidence of all cancer (SIR per 100)	98.5	100.0	170.3	not significantly different to England	39.1
Incidence of breast cancer (SIR per 100)	108.1	100.0	225.9	not significantly different to England	32.6
Incidence of colorectal cancer (SIR per 100)	82.9	100.0	274.8	significantly better than England	32.5
Incidence of lung cancer (SIR per 100)	65.1	100.0	384.2	significantly better than England	20.7
Incidence of prostate cancer (SIR per 100)	137.1	100.0	232.9	significantly worse than England	22.7
Emergency hospital admissions for intentional self harm (SAR)	151.2	100.0	586.6	significantly worse than England	0.0
Hospital admissions for alcohol attributable conditions, (Narrow definition) (SAR)	72.4	100.0	470.8	significantly better than England	26.1
Hospital admissions for alcohol attributable conditions (Broad definition) (SAR)	67.6	100.0	478.1	significantly better than England	34.5
Limiting long-term illness or disability (%)	21.8	17.6	40.8	significantly worse than England	2.2
Deaths from all causes, all ages (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR))	82.2	100.0	258.2	significantly better than England	38.3
Deaths from all causes, under 75 years (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR))	74.4	100.0	299.3	significantly better than England	31.0
Deaths from all cancer, all ages (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR))	86.9	100.0	205.3	significantly better than England	39.9
Deaths from all cancer, under 75 years (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR))	84.6	100.0	246.4	significantly better than England	0.0
Deaths from circulatory disease, all ages (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR))	92.3	100.0	241.3	significantly better than England	20.5
Deaths from circulatory disease, under 75 years (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR))	65.6	100.0	332.5	significantly better than England	0.0
Deaths from coronary heart disease, all ages (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR))	87.3	100.0	293.8	significantly better than England	0.0
Deaths from stroke, all ages (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR))	102.1	100.0	388.6	not significantly different to England	0.0
Deaths from respiratory diseases, all ages (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR))	87.1	100.0	331.1	significantly better than England	14.1
Deaths from causes considered preventable, under 75 years (Standardised mortality ratio (SMR))	75.9	100.0	357.7	significantly better than England	16.8

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