The pharmacist will see you now – call for them to treat GP patients
Healthcare revolution on High St
phARMACISTS should be allowed to treat patients who would normally be seen by Gps, a new report has said.
The Royal pharmaceutical Society (RpS) in Scotland says most high street pharmacists should be prescribing medicines within the next few years to increase convenience and ease pressure on the NhS.
It would mean patients going to their pharmacist for consultations on common conditions such as ear pain, constipation, eczema and arthritis, and for blood test results. Consultations could even take place virtually by video call.
The plans are laid out in the RpS pharmacy 2030 professional Vision report, published yesterday. It comes amid serious pressure on Scotland’s Gp services, with pharmacists set to take over a significant proportion of their workload.
Clare Morrison, Director for Scotland at RpS, said: ‘In 2030, we want to see the vast majority of pharmacists being prescribers. Right now, the figure is about 10 per cent.
‘Over the past couple of years, arrangements have been made via the NhS Scotland pharmacy First service to enable community pharmacists to supply antibiotics for urine and skin infections, and contraception. We anticipate these areas will provide a strong starting place for expansion.
‘It is really important that as we develop our workforce, we also listen to patients and the public to find out what services they would most value and build our prescribing services to meet their needs.’
Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: ‘The pandemic has shown us that we need to urgently do more to support primary care services.
‘pharmacies are often the first line of support for patients seeking assistance and they can help ease the pressure on other parts of the health service, including Gp services.
‘however, if we are to achieve this vision we must see the SNp commit to supporting pharmacy services now.
‘Resources need to be put in place by ministers to ensure we have a team of pharmacists equipped for delivering more medicinal care as our health service remobilises.’
Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-hamilton said: ‘In the past there were many tasks that it was thought only a Gp could do. Over time we have seen other skilled professionals including nurses and pharmacists take work on.
‘Scotland has an exceptional pharmacy workforce and I am keen to explore how they can play a greater role in the future. The pandemic has forced new ways of working on all of us.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We welcome the vision for pharmacy published today by the RpS. We will continue to work with all of our stakeholders to ensure the profession is equipped to adapt to the changing health and social care landscape.’
‘New ways of working’