The NHS has announced that thousands of trained pharmacists across London will be now able to assess and treat patients for seven common conditions, bringing more healthcare to the high street and alleviating pressure on GP services.
These services will be available at pharmacies across the capital, with more than 90% of NHS community pharmacies in London – 1,637 in total – included in the initiative. The expansion of pharmacy services will give the public more choice in where and how they access care, and it aims to free up more than 1million GP appointments per year in London.
More than 30,000 people are already supported each month by their community pharmacy when they start new medicines, and more than 200,000 blood pressure checks were taken over the last year, allowing those with high blood pressure to be identified and referred for onward management.
Tony Carson is NHS London’s pharmacy integration lead. He said: “The roll-out of expanded services via London’s pharmacies is a step toward making healthcare more accessible and efficient for communities across London.
“This is great news for the public – from today you can pop into one of more than 1,600 high street NHS pharmacies in London to get assessed and treated for seven common conditions at a convenient time, with many pharmacies open late into the evening.”
Raj Matharu who runs a family-owned community pharmacy in southeast London, said he is “thrilled” by the initiative. “By assessing and treating common conditions, we can offer faster and easier access to healthcare right here on the high street.
“The expansion of pharmacy services will also allow GPs to refer common conditions to community pharmacy teams which will reduce pressures, and by working together, make access to healthcare more convenient.”
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