Are you happy to see a pharmacist instead of a GP? Take poll and have your say

31 January 2024 , 11:05

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Patients can now be treated for a host of common illnesses at their local pharmacy instead of waiting for a GP appointment (Image: Getty)

Would you be happy to see a pharmacist instead of a GP?

From today, anyone with a common ailment such as a sore throat or earache can walk into a high street pharmacy for treatment instead of waiting for a GP appointment.

NHS England says the move will free up ten million GP consultations a year, relieving the pressure on local practices whose mass exodus of overworked GPs has made it harder and harder for Brits to see a family doctor.

The £645 million deal with NHS England means patients can visit the high street for seven conditions - sinusitis, shingles, impetigo, urinary tract infections, sore throat, earache and infected insect bites and stings. The initiative involves 10,265 community pharmacies across England, with nine out of ten taking part. Walk-in consultations are welcome without the need to book.

NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: “GPs are already treating millions more people every month than before the pandemic, but with an ageing population and growing demand, we know the NHS needs to give people more choice and make accessing care as easy as possible.

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“People across England rightly value the support they receive from their high street pharmacist, and with eight in ten living within a 20-minute walk of a pharmacy and twice as many pharmacies in areas of deprivation, they are the perfect spot to offer people convenient care for common conditions.”

If you can't see the poll, click here

The scheme follows hot-on-the-heels of similar initiatives in Wales and Scotland. Chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies Dr Leyla Hannbeck welcomed the move but warned that pharmacies are “severely underfunded to the tune of £1.2 billion now and as a direct result of that are reducing opening hours and even closing completely”.

She added: “This nonsense cannot go on and this stranglehold of chronic underfunding must be relieved now to ensure our community pharmacies continue to exist and can deliver to the potential the Government is expecting.”

Paul Rees, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, said the scheme will “play to the strengths of pharmacists as medicines experts” and free up GPs for other work.

But what do you think? Are you happy to see a pharmacist instead of a GP? Take our poll above and expand on your comments below.

Paul Speed