Same-day appointments with local pharmacists

The Department of Health and Social Care has revealed that more than 100,000 patients have had appointments with expert pharmacists in the last 10 weeks, relieving pressure on GPs and A&E departments.

Introduced in October 2019, the community pharmacist consultation service (CPCS) enables NHS 111 health advisers to refer patients with minor illnesses to their local pharmacy for assessment and treatment. 10,610 pharmacies are currently registered with the CPCS.

Since its launch, 114,275 patients with minor illnesses or who needed medicines were referred to a local pharmacist. The appointments involved: 64,067 urgent medication requests for conditions, such as diabetes or asthma; and 50,208 people with a minor illness given clinical advice, such as for a sore throat or earache.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “I want to see pharmacists ready and able to do much more to help people stay healthy and prevent pressure on hospitals. This ‘pharmacy first’ approach makes life easier for patients and will help reduce pressure in the NHS. I want to see more patients with minor illnesses assessed close to home, saving them unnecessary trips to A&E or the GP, and helping people get the care and advice they need quicker.

“Thousands of patients receiving same-day advice from highly skilled pharmacists is exactly what we need. Community pharmacy is an integral and trusted part of the NHS and we want every patient with a minor illness to think ‘pharmacy first’. This is just part of this government’s work to deliver on the people’s priorities and strengthen our NHS. Our record financial commitment for the NHS of £33.9 billion extra every year within the next five years – which we’re enshrining in law – will also allow us to expand frontline services with 50,000 more nurses, 6,000 more GPs and 6,000 more primary care professionals.”