Anne Marie Morris MP has welcomed the launch of the Conservative Government’s Pharmacy First approach, helping patients across Newton Abbot to receive care more quickly through better use of our community pharmacies.
202 pharmacies in Devon have signed up to Pharmacy First so far, which enables pharmacists to utilise more of their medical skills and training.
Pharmacists will be able to help with conditions which include sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bite, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women. Following the assessment, the pharmacist can then supply the prescription-only medicines, including antibiotics and antivirals, to treat the problem.
The new Pharmacy First approach will not only speed up access to essential care for patients, but also help to reduce pressure on local GP services by directing people to more appropriate places to be treated. Backed by up to £645 million, 95 per cent of pharmacies across England have opted-in so far, meaning that patients will be able to receive care more quickly without the need to wait for a GP appointment.
The Pharmacy First approach builds on the other measures outlined in the Primary Care Recovery Plan last spring, including tackling the 8am rush by giving GPs new digital tools and providing more GP staff and more appointments.
Commenting, Anne Marie Morris said:
“The pandemic put huge pressure on our NHS services and as we continue with our recovery, it is essential that patients receive the care they need quickly and easily. Pharmacy First allows patients to do that, using the skills of our pharmacists to treat more people in the community without the need for a GP appointment – speeding up their own care as well as reducing pressure on local GP services. 202 pharmacies in Devon have signed up to the programme so far, hopefully many more will do so too."