Calls for govt to assess polyclinics’ effect

The government should carry out impact assessments when planning polyclinics to ensure local pharmacies are unaffected, an industry body has asserted.

According to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB), the government ought to investigate the effects polyclinics would have on communities’ sustainability, the ability for patients and carers to access suitable transport and the healthcare implications.

Furthermore, English pharmacists want a greater role in future healthcare provision, commented David Pruce, the director of practice quality and improvement at the organisation.

“The RPSGB believes this is vital to ensure that patients, the public and particularly those
classed as vulnerable are able to choose the healthcare services they need,” he added.

In March, the society stated that it would support moves to increase the drugs patients can access over the counter under a pharmacist’s supervision.

This, Mr Pruce said then, would help patients by increasing the choices open to them in a convenient manner.