Plan to free up 15 million GP surgery appointments

Patients will be able to obtain prescription medicines and oral contraception directly from pharmacies under a blueprint to ease the pressure on GPs’ appointments.

Treatments for seven common conditions including earache, sore throat and urinary tract infections will be available without seeing a doctor under plans announced by Rishi Sunak.

The Prime Minister hopes the measures will help end the ‘all-too stressful wait’ for appointments by freeing up 15 million slots at doctors’ surgeries over the next two years.

Pharmacists themselves would be able to write the prescriptions under the reform that ministers hope will be introduced this winter after a consultationwiththeindustry.

The number of people able to access blood pressure checks in pharmacies would be more than doubled to 2.5 million a year.

Self-referrals will also be increased for access to services such as physiotherapy, hearing tests and podiatry without the requirement to see a GP first.

‘I am getting on with delivering on my five priorities and transforming primary care is the next part of this Government’s promise to cut NHS waiting lists,’ Mr Sunak said.

‘I know how frustrating it is to be stuck on hold to your GP practice when you or a family member desperately need an appointment for a common illness.

‘We will end the 8am rush and expand the services offered by pharmacies, meaning patients can get their medication quickly and easily.’

The Prime Minister has said he is registered with an NHS GP after acknowledging using private healthcare in the past.