See pharmacist rather than GP

PEOPLE calling their GP practice for an appointment with a doctor or nurse could instead be referred to a pharmacist.

A scheme being rolled out in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland aims to help GPs to focus on patients with more urgent needs.

Some patients will be referred, usually by a receptionist, directly to a community pharmacist trained to advise on “minor ailments”.

The clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) that administer primary care said receptionists are increasingly being trained to help get the best care for patients.

NHS England has estimated between 6 per cent and 8 per cent of consultations with nurses and GPs could be transferred to a community pharmacist, freeing up 55 appointments per week at each GP.

Dr Reema Parwaiz, prescribing lead for West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “You won’t necessarily need to see a GP each time.

“Primary care has changed. GPs are spending more of their time caring for the most seriously ill patients in the practice, particularly those who have complex long-term conditions.”

Patients referred through the scheme will get a consultation face-to-face, on the phone or via video call.

The outcome, including any treatment given, is reported back to the GP and all goes on the patient’s record.

Dr Parwaiz said she think the scheme will also allow patients to take more control of their own health.

Figures from the CCGs show that since the service was introduced in May, 62 GP practices and 209 pharmacies have signed up across the area and more than 2,400 patients have been referred to a pharmacist.

Satyan Kotecha, a community pharmacist in Belgrave and vice-chairman of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Pharmaceutical Committee, said: “Pharmacists are qualified to deal with a range of ailments, including bites and stings, swelling, skin conditions, colds, coughs, earache and gastric problems.”

He added because so many pharmacies are part of the scheme, patients can often choose which one they are referred to.

Dr Nil Sanganee, vice-chairman of West Leicestershire CCG, said fewer patients have to be turned away due to a lack of available appointments and doctors have more time to see patients with long-term health conditions that need regular monitoring.

He said: “Community pharmacists are truly valued as providing a vital component of primary care services.”