GP surgeries will have clinical pharmacists

Patients across England are to benefit from more convenient trips to the GP with new, surgery-based pharmacists who can help and advise on taking medication and treatment.

This applies to more than 700 practices in England, covering up to six million patients and helping to free up GP time.

Clinical pharmacists work as part of the general practice team by providing expertise on day-to-day medicine issues and offering consultations with patients directly.

This includes providing extra help to manage long-term conditions such as high blood pressure earlier and more effectively to prevent cardiovascular disease, advice for those on multiple medications and offering better access to health checks. This all delivers faster access to clinical advice for patients and allows GPs to spend extra time with patients with more complex needs.

About time too!