Birmingham pharmacist joins calls for recognition as 'essential' part of NHS
It's after the National Pharmacy Association found at least 6 million hours in A&E were taken up by minor illnesses
A Birmingham pharmacist's among those calling on government to recognise pharmacies as an 'essential' part of the NHS.
It's after the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) found at least 6 million hours in A&E last year were taken up by patients with minor illnesses.
Sanjeev Panesar said pharmacists should be able to treat more conditions:
"We're calling for the government to expand the Pharmacy First service to cover things like diarrhoea, skin infections, constipation, and include a wider group of patients that can access these services.
"A broader service, similar to the one that's quite successful in Scotland, could free up up to 14 million GP appointments a year, which can really help ease pressures across the NHS."
The NPA said people were going to A&E for conditions including blocked noses, common colds and acne, which was costing the NHS up to £215 million a year.
NPA analysis of NHS England data in 2023/24 found that:
- 325,000 people visited A&E with a sore throat or a cold, costing the NHS £44 million that year alone
- 62,000 people visited A&E with nose bleeds and 18,000 with blocked noses, whilst 40,000 people visited A&E with eczema and 1,000 attended with acne
- A number of patients also attended A&E with conditions that can be treated through the Pharmacy First initiative. This included 18,000 patients with infected insect bites and 196,000 urinary tract infections
The NPA says it's urging the government to use its NHS 10 Year Plan to ‘turbo charge’ the role of community pharmacy to free up time that is currently being spent in other parts of the health system.
In England, pharmacists can currently supply prescription only and pharmacy medicines for seven common conditions without a patient having to see their GP, including infected insect bites, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
The NPA is calling on the government to include additional conditions, such as constipation, diarrhoea and certain bacterial skin infections, to bring it into line with the service in Scotland.
Henry Gregg, Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association said:
“Of course people with serious injuries should go to A&E but it should be a place for emergencies not the first place to go when faced with a minor ailment.
“Our analysis clearly shows a substantial number of visits to A&E could be better managed in a local pharmacy.
“This would be more convenient for patients, who could be treated in minutes on their doorstep and save substantial time and money in one of the busiest parts of our NHS.
“The government has a once in a generation opportunity to use the 10 Year Plan to turbo charge the role of community pharmacies who, properly funded, have a vital part to play in creating a neighbourhood health service.
“Investment in more clinical services in pharmacies will not only help to end the 8AM scramble for a GP appointment but also help get patients out of hospitals and into the community."
We've approached the government for comment.