The NHS and the government have published a new blueprint today, set out by the Health Secretary in the House, to help recover primary care services, meaning millions of patients will have access to faster care for their health needs from their local pharmacy.
The actions set out in the plan are expected to free up around 15 million GP appointments over the next two years for patients who need them most. In a significant new step, up to half a million people a year will be able to self-refer for key services and for seven common conditions, including physiotherapy, hearing tests, and podiatry, without seeing their GP first, thanks to government investment of £645 million over two years to expand community pharmacy services.
Ending the 8am ‘rush’ for appointments is a key part of the plan to end patients having to wait on hold only to be told to call back another day for help, which i know happens to some residents.
Tens of thousands more people will be at a lower risk of a heart attack or stroke, with the NHS more than doubling the number of people able to access blood pressure checks in their local pharmacy – 2.5 million, up from 900,000 carried out last year.
Almost half a million women will no longer need to speak to a practise nurse or GP to access oral contraception and will instead be able to pop into their local pharmacy for it. We know people are working hard across primary care - doctors, nurses allied professionals and others. This is about spreading the load to help patients access the care they need.
Commenting, Jo Churchill MP said:
“Primary care services are the cornerstone of our healthcare system, so I welcome this new plan to recover and expand these services.
“GP teams are already treating a record number of patients, delivering half a million more appointments every week than pre-pandemic levels. With improved access to prescriptions, self-referral options for key services, and increased availability of blood pressure checks, millions of patients will benefit from faster and more efficient care.
“This investment in community pharmacy services will help alleviate the pressure on GPs and free up appointments for those who need them most. With more support from community pharmacies, patients can receive treatment and advice for common ailments and health concerns without having to schedule an appointment with their GP."
