Pharmacists could help reduce GP workloads by 20 per cent, saving the NHS millions of pounds every year, according to Steve Churton, President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB).
Addressing delegates at the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) in Manchester today, RPSGB President Steve Churton said:
“Every year patients with minor ailments generate over 50 million GP consultations: that’s almost 20 per cent of doctors’ workloads, costing the NHS more than GBP1.5 billion. There is absolutely no reason why such consultations could not be handled by pharmacists, releasing an hour a day for every GP in the country to see patients with more complex needs.
“The Government White Paper, Pharmacy in England: building on strengths – delivering the future, is what the profession has been waiting for. It lays out plans for community pharmacies as healthy living centers – delivering minor ailment services, screening for vascular disease and sexually transmitted infections and providing more support to people with long-term conditions – with routine check-ups and monitoring available on a drop-in basis.”
Source: Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB)