Seven illnesses pharmacists can now treat with new prescription powers

19 May 2024 , 14:36

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The overhaul promises quicker and more convenient care for millions (Image: Getty Images/Caiaimage)

Pharmacists are getting new powers to make life easier for patients when it comes to common health issues.

NHS England is rolling out a big change meaning many can now skip the trip to the GP for seven common conditions. This overhaul promises quicker and more convenient care for millions. Patients can head straight to the pharmacy for prescriptions if dealing with earache, sore throat, sinusitis, impetigo, shingles, infected insect bites, or urinary tract infections. It's a major step towards saving time and hassle for patients.

However, some people are worried that this shift might just put more pressure on pharmacies instead of easing the load on GPs. Similar schemes in Scotland and Wales have already proven successful. Despite promises from the current Tory government to hire more GPs, the number has actually fallen in recent years, from 28,000 by 500.

Patients can head to the pharmacy for prescriptions for a sore throat (Getty Images)

The new plans are likely to kick in by this winter and the NHS aims to free up a whopping 15 million GP appointments over the next two years. However, some concerns linger as simply making pills available in pharmacies won't solve the bigger problem of not having enough doctors. There are worries that pharmacies themselves are facing challenges, including funding and workforce issues.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck CEO of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies said: “The plan recognises the important role that community pharmacy can play in improving patient access to care. Any measures to facilitate patient care with a less cumbersome, less time-consuming and easier bureaucratic burden will be welcomed by pharmacy teams the length and breadth of the country.

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"Over 90% of independent community pharmacies’ activities are for the NHS and pharmacies do not pass on their costs on to their patients and customers, consequently, many are operating at a loss. Years of underfunding have left them fighting for their survival. There is a shortfall of £1.1bn in pharmacy funding every year and rising, and many pharmacies are struggling to pay the ever-increasing prices of medicines and the higher general costs of doing business and managing greater workforce challenges.

The NHS aims to free up 15 million GP appointments over the next two years (Getty Images/Maskot)

"So far since 2015, more than 800 pharmacies have closed permanently and sadly more will shut this year. We have always been willing to play our part in supporting the NHS. We demonstrated that during the pandemic when we kept our doors open and provided a vital service to our struggling communities. Whilst the Government’s Primary Care Recovery Plan is a step in the right direction, more needs to be done to address the funding crisis, workforce challenges and medicines supply issues that have brought our pharmacies to their knees, causing more and more pharmacies to close their doors permanently.”

Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive said: “GPs and their teams are working incredibly hard to deal with unprecedented demand for appointments. But with an ageing population, we know we need to further expand and transform the way we provide care for our local communities and make these services fit for the future.

“Today, we are setting out an ambitious package of measures to do just that – with pharmacies playing a central role in managing the nation’s health including providing lifesaving checks and medication for common conditions for the first time. 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."

Concerns linger about increased pressure on pharmacies (PA)

One big change on the horizon is saying goodbye to the morning rush for appointments - aiming to have no patient waiting on hold just to be told to call back another day. To make this happen, the government is investing around £240 million in a new phone system. But critics, like Labour's Wes Streeting, argue that it wouldn't solve the deeper issues.

“Nothing in this announcement will train more doctors, allow patients to choose a face-to-face appointment, or bring back the family doctor so patients see the same GP each time.” Mr Streeting called on the Government to train 7,500 more doctors annually, funded by axing the non-dom tax status, as per Labours plan.

Florence Freeman