Community pharmacies are integral to the Prime Minister’s ‘Reforming Elective Care for Patients’ plan, the Company Chemists’ Association says.
The plan, which was published Monday (6th January), talks about making more appointments available in the community instead of hospitals and greater patient choice and convenience, amongst other things.
Malcolm Harrison, Chief Executive of the Company Chemists’ Association said: “Solving the NHS’ strains will only be possible if people can access the right care, in the best place, as soon as possible.
A greater proportion of funding must go into primary care if patients are to access the care, they need from the NHS.
Pharmacies are well placed to diagnose and prevent ill health, with most people in England living within a 20-minute walk of their local pharmacy.
However, having experienced a 40% real-terms cut in funding since 2015, and 1,200+ closures since 2017, pharmacies urgently need an uplift in funding so they can continue to provide the ‘walk-in’, extended hours, access that people need and expect.”
Another part of the ‘Reforming Elective Care for Patients’ plan focuses on maximising ‘pharmacy first approaches’ to ear, nose and throat (ENT) services and “developing one-stop clinical models to support patients needing ear care and patients with rhinitis”.
Harrison said: “We absolutely support a Pharmacy-First style approach to ear, nose and throat services. Pharmacy First has proven to be a success in a short space of time, and expansion into new conditions will ensure even more patients benefit.
If the Government and NHS England are serious about shifting care into the community, as well as freeing up GP capacity, they should consider how they can help turbocharge Pharmacy First”.
Community pharmacies must play a significant role in elective patient healthcare for the Prime Minister’s new plan to succeed at reducing appointment backlogs and wait times.