PATIENTS suffering from a range of common conditions will no longer need to see their GP to receive medicines.
It is hoped the measures – which could be rolled out across England as soon as this winter – will free up millions of GP appointments and improve patient care.
Now, patients with several common condition will be able to cut out the doctor’s appointment and go straight to the high street chemist.
But there are concerns the plans will simply shift the burden of work from GPs to pharmacists.
The common ailments for which Brits can now get medication directly from pharmacies include:
- earache
- sore throat
- sinusitis
- impetigo
- shingles
- infected insect bites
- urinary tract infection
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Pharmacies will also carry out millions more high blood pressure checks and dole out contraception to slash the number of GP appointments.
The changes will also allow them to refer themselves for NHS physiotherapy or hearing tests.
It comes after ministers yesterday pledged a receptionists’ overhaul to do away with the 8am scramble.
NHS England CEO, Amanda Pritchard, said: “This will help us to free up millions of appointments for those who need them most, as well as supporting staff to do less admin and spend more time with patients.”
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Thorrun Govind, chairwoman of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, told The Sun the plan was a "positive" move for patients.
"We're looking forward to hearing some of the details and how it will work in practice," she added.
Dr Leyla Hannbeck, of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, said: "More must be done to address the funding crisis, workforce challenges and medicines supply issues that are causing more pharmacies to sadly close their doors permanently."
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