Portsmouth (click here to see a map) was granted its city charter by King Richard in 1194. Richard appreciated Portsmouth’s strategic value of harbour, though this was well recognised by the Romans. King John in 1212 founded the famous naval dockyard, which over the centuries has tied its fortunes to the city’s prosperity. Portsmouth has been a home to Isambard Brunel, Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Dickens and H G Wells among many other famous people.

Portsmouth on the south coast is set at the foot of the picturesque chalky South Downs and at the eastern end of the Solent in Hampshire. The island of Portsmouth has a population of about 80,000 with four wards which may be described as white, urban and deprived. It was around these areas that the project was based. It is served by the Portsea Island PCT, which with Isle of Wight and two other PCT form the IOW, Portsmouth & SE Hants Health Authority until March 2002.

There are six pharmacies; from independent to local and national chains and seven GP practices; from single handed to multi partner which are taking part in the project. It is envisaged that around 250 patients will take part in the project.