GP sign offs for prescriptions could become a thing of the past, according to a new government proposal.
Instead, pharmacists would be able to hand out prescriptions - but only for common conditions such as colds, sore throats and UTIs.
The initiative, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, seeks to free up GPs and end the ‘8am rush’ for appointments.
Under this reform, which is due to be in full swing by winter 2023, services such as physiotherapy and hearing tests will also be available without the need to book a GP appointment beforehand.
NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said the “ambitious package” will help transform how care is provided within the health service.
“This blueprint will help us to free up millions of appointments for those who need them most, as well as supporting staff so that they can do less admin and spend more time with patients,” she added.
However, the plan has also received some backlash due to concerns around equity and questions as to whether all pharmacies would be equipped to provide the same levels of service.
Beccy Baird, Senior fellow at the King’s Fund commented: “not all pharmacies will be able to offer these services and it will be really frustrating for patients to be bumped from pillar to post, only to end up back at the GP”.
The labour party have also expressed criticism towards Sunak’s proposal. Labour’s shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: “Expecting the Conservatives to fix this is like expecting an arsonist to put out the fire they started.
“Rishi Sunak is completely out of touch with the problems facing patients and the NHS. He has no plan to address the shortage of GPs, or to reverse the cut in the number of doctors trained every year.”
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