GP Pressures relieved with Pharmacy Consultations

The department of Health and Social care have announced patients with minor conditions such as earache or a sore throat will be offered same day consultations with pharmacists.
The NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service aims to out pharmacists skills and knowledge to better use and if testing is proven to be successful, GP’s and A 7 E will look to refer patients to the service over the next 5 years. This move is set to relive the pressures on hospitals and doctors.
“Pharmacists are integral part of community health with more than a million people using a local pharmacy every day. “ Said Matt Hancock, health and social care secretary. “As part of our long term plan for the NHS, we want to support our pharmacists by unlocking their knowledge and allow them to play a stronger role within the community by expanding their range of services, be able to offer more support to patients. The five year plan will ensure patients get the appropriate support, and in turn we will help to relieve same pressure on the health service.”
Over the next 5 years, Pharmacists roles will expand to online training for spotting early signs of sepsis, developing and testing for undiagnosed cardiovascular disease and checking all patients who suffer with diabetes have their annual foot and eye checks.
Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Royal College of GPs commented “Making the best use possible of primary car professionals in the community is key to relieving the workforce and pressures GP’s are facing. Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals who already offer advice to patients with minor illnesses that don’t require a prescription and play an important role in medication management. They are vital in delivering patient care and ensure that this is given at the time it’s needed.”