Pharmacists ‘to treat more illnesses’ as the government considers handing them greater powers

Pharmacists will be given greater powers to ease pressure on GPs and A&E in plans being considered by ministers.

Rishi Sunak is expected to lay out his long-term blueprint to rescue the NHS later this month, with a focus on cutting waiting times for GPs, ambulances and A&E treatment.

This will include measures to ensure patients can get a GP appointment within two weeks, or an urgent appointment the same day, and reduce ambulance waiting times for stroke victims to 30 minutes.

The Prime Minister has come under pressure to act following reports of pensioners being left for days after falls, and children with suspected scarlet fever sleeping on chairs in A&E.

In a bid to free up tens of thousands of GP appointments, the Department of Health is preparing to give high street pharmacists a greater role in treating basic illnesses. If the plans are adopted, pharmacies will be paid to provide consultations and treatments, prescribe medicines including antibiotics, or refer patients to a GP.

They could also play a greater role managing patients with chronic health conditions.

Patients can already walk into high street stores for advice, but at present time is not set aside for appointments and busy pharmacists receive no additional funding from the NHS. Industry leaders said the service already works effectively in the West Midlands, where pharmacists can prescribe antibiotics for the most common infections such as urinary tract, skin and throat infections.

Last month Health Secretary Steve Barclay lauded the ‘opportunity’ to make ‘better use’ of what the pharmacy network can do.

Industry leaders have called the ‘Pharmacy First’ scheme, which is already in place in Scotland, a ‘no-brainer’.

Alastair Buxton, director of NHS services for the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, said: ‘We could operationalise this service in a matter of months.

‘Where there is a need, pharmacies want to meet it.’