Pharmacies will offer treatment for five more common conditions this autumn, including migraines and more ear infections, as part of a drive to make them the front door of the NHS.
Qualified prescribing pharmacists will be able to treat the additional conditions on the spot, building on the Pharmacy First scheme launched earlier this year. The service allows pharmacists to assess patients, dispense and now prescribe medicine for certain common conditions.
Six Million Consultations Delivered
Six million consultations have been delivered since the scheme launched. GPs and NHS111 have referred three million people to their local pharmacy, and pharmacists have provided more than three million urgent medicine supplies.
The government invested a further £340 million in community pharmacies earlier this year, including to deliver Pharmacy First. Four in five people live within 20 minutes of a pharmacy, meaning patients can walk in without a GP appointment or hospital visit.
Neighbourhood Health Service
The aim is to create a neighbourhood health service, bringing healthcare to the high street. Pharmacies are described as an indispensable part of the NHS, offering advice for minor illnesses such as sore throats and ear aches.
The Mirror has backed community pharmacies, particularly for older people and vulnerable patients. The government says the changes will mean faster treatment, more services, better care for patients, and less pressure on hospitals and GPs.
