The Government says 15 million GP appointments could be freed up over the next two years under a radical shake-up of services provided by pharmacies. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is announcing today (May 9) that treatments for seven common conditions will now be available without patients having to see a doctor.
Pharmacists themselves would be able to write the prescriptions under the reform that ministers hope will be introduced this winter after a consultation with the industry. The conditions that would be covered include earache, sore throat and urinary tract infections.
Mr Sunak said: "I know how frustrating it is to be stuck on hold to your GP practice when you or a family member desperately need an appointment for a common illness. We will end the 8am rush and expand the services offered by pharmacies, meaning patients can get their medication quickly and easily."
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Other conditions affected by the overhaul would include sinusitis, infected insect bite, impetigo and shingles. But some concerns have been raised about the proposals.
Labour's shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: "Expecting the Conservatives to fix this is like expecting an arsonist to put out the fire they started. Rishi Sunak is completely out of touch with the problems facing patients and the NHS.
"He has no plan to address the shortage of GPs, or to reverse the cut in the number of doctors trained every year. The Conservatives’ announcement is merely tinkering at edges, in contrast to the fundamental reform the NHS needs and Labour is offering. Labour will abolish the non-dom tax status to train an extra 7,500 doctors and 10,000 nurses every year, so patients are seen on time again."
The King's Fund health think tank warned some pharmacies will not be able to offer the services because they may not have access to diagnostic tools. Senior fellow Beccy Baird said: "Not all pharmacies will be able to offer these services and it will be really frustrating for patients to be bumped from pillar to post, only to end up back at the GP.
"Whilst any improvements to make it easier for people to access their local practices are welcome, to make the kinds of system changes needed to reform general practice, it is essential that, over the long-term, primary care is as much of a priority as reducing the hospital backlog."
NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard added: "This blueprint will help us to free up millions of appointments for those who need them most, as well as supporting staff so that they can do less admin and spend more time with patients."
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