The UK government has launched the Pharmacy First scheme, enabling pharmacists to treat seven common health conditions without prescriptions, potentially freeing up 10 million GP appointments per year. The initiative has seen over 214 pharmacies in Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland, and 196 in Erewash sign up to offer treatments for ailments such as sore throats, earaches, sinusitis, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections. The scheme, which is part of the Primary Care Recovery Plan, has been compared to successful models in France and includes a £645 million investment to enhance pharmacy services. Despite the positive reception, concerns have been raised about the closure of pharmacies in some areas, such as Hull North, and the lack of access to the GP connect system on the scheme's first day.
Pharmacists in England now have the power to presribe treatments for seven common ailments, including ear ache and shingles. The NHS reckons this could free up as many as 10m doctors appointments each year https://t.co/WRpcCNmX9a 👇
I called in to Billinge Pharmacy to hear from Amin about Pharmacy First, which aims to free up GP appointments. We must make sure our St Helens pharmacies get the resources needed for these extra responsibilities. https://t.co/yGHVpC66Vv
Fantastic to meet Husainali at Star Pharmacy, Strutton Ground today to hear why they signed up for #PharmacyFirst. Pharmacy First lets you get treatment for 7️⃣ common conditions without needing to see a GP or have a prescription first. https://t.co/Gzji8TFsiy
👩⚕️Pharmacists are experts in medicines and provide advice and treatment for many common ailments. 🩹 Last year, more than half a million people were treated in community pharmacies across Wales, freeing up GP appointments and delivering care closer to home. https://t.co/rvl9C576Cl
Great to see so many Pharmacies in South East London signed up to the Government’s new Pharmacy First service which will help reduce demand on GP services and cut waiting lists in Eltham and Chislehurst by helping to free up capacity. https://t.co/x2o4ISVcQW
����PHARMACY FIRST🌟 The local pharmacy can give antibiotics for sore throat and other uncomplicated conditions - without a GP prescription. 💙 This could free up thousands of GP appointments every year. . But we have to make sure everyone knows about it! https://t.co/C8EG0fcG8i
📆February marks the first month of the Pharmacy First approach taking effect. 🩺This means that pharmacies in #Wycombe will be able to treat common health conditions without patients needing to see a GP. https://t.co/fwE9jDZzpy
Pharmacy First has now launched, meaning you are now able to go to a pharmacy to treat seven common health conditions without needing to see a GP. This will help free up to 10 million GP appointments as part of the Primary Care Recovery Plan! https://t.co/9RsNtZ8TyP
👩🏾⚕️ As an NHS cancer pharmacist I have long been arguing that pharmacies should play a greater role in the NHS. 🩺 But @PreetKGilIMP is absolutely right, the roll out of Pharmacy First won't make up for the number of pharmacies closed under the Tories. https://t.co/WYmxyVXev3
Yesterday, we launched a revolutionary new initiative in local pharmacies to free up millions of GP appointments across the country 🏥 Meanwhile Labour made another u-turn about bankers' bonuses🤷♂️
This morning I visited Rowlands Pharmacy in Princes Risborough to welcome the launch of the Government’s Pharmacy First approach. This will mean that pharmacists can treat more conditions without patients needing to see a GP or have a prescription first. https://t.co/F4xA9HqwAT https://t.co/6jKg77lbk8
Pharmacies are offering new services to make it easier to get treatment without a prescription for: 🟢 sinusitis, sore throat and earache 🟢 infected insect bite, impetigo and shingles 🟢 uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women Gurdeep Nanra @PillBoxChemist explains ⏬ https://t.co/bTS6xhK8L6
Did you know you can go to your local pharmacy to treat many common ailments rather than booking an appointment with your GP https://t.co/mlJOdWfzT4 https://t.co/pOuw0TQfVG
10 million GP appointments a year will be freed up as pharmacists are now able to prescribe you antibiotics for a series of conditions instead of waiting to see a GP. Check now to see what you can get prescribed for... https://t.co/2125vdU0Jk
On day one of the Government's freshly launched Pharmacy First scheme, pharmacists will have no access to the GP connect system. The Government has had 12 months to get this ready... what's taking them so long? 👇🏽 https://t.co/figIrlx8ay
As from today, #pharmacists will be able to prescribe and supply treatments for a number of common ailments - a system that has worked well in #France. It will save having to see your #GP. But I had a specific question to the minister! https://t.co/YqP9eGHgcM
What is the 'Pharmacy First Scheme' and what does it mean for you? 🔊 Listen on BBC Sounds ⤵️ https://t.co/5WkDZGp9VE
Fantastic news that from today, you can get treatment for seven common conditions at most pharmacies without a GP prescription. #TheLocalChampionForBeaconsfield https://t.co/7ltor1ga7V
📢The Government has launched Pharmacy First today which will free up 10 million GP appointments. @DHSCgovuk are investing up to £645 million into pharmacies to enable pharmacists to utilise their skills more effectively. This will enable quick treatment for common conditions! https://t.co/tDlaIU0gCd
💊 I am delighted that 196 pharmacies in @NHSDDICB have signed up to the Government’s new #PharmacyFirst approach Patients across #Erewash will now be able to receive treatment for seven common health conditions from their local pharmacy without the need to see a GP https://t.co/U1HIsoxuPn
🌟 PHARMACY FIRST 🌟 You will be able to go to your local pharmacy to get antibiotics to treat sore throats, earache, impetigo and other uncomplicated conditions - without a GP prescription. 💙 This could free up thousands of GP appointments every year. https://t.co/RROyqIxbLN
Patients can now get treatment for seven common conditions without needing to see a GP under a shake-up of pharmacy services. https://t.co/1jxKWnHMZF
As of today 214 pharmacies across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland have signed up to treat seven common conditions without prescriptions. As a Dr since '07 this is a welcome step forward to provide access for those who need it (estimated to free up 10M GP appts per year!) https://t.co/iuCdp3PAuw
💊 Today the Government told me that we are well-served by local pharmacies. 🤔 Sadly, in Hull North pharmacy closures are leaving many local people struggling to get support. 👉 I asked the Government to consider creating a school of pharmacy for Hull ⬇ https://t.co/rhFdrinMX1
This is great news for patients – you can pop into one of more than 10,000 high street pharmacies in England to get a consultation on seven common conditions including ear-ache, a sore throat or sinusitis at a convenient time, with many pharmacies open late into the evening. ‼️ https://t.co/bXlTSghshM
As I have continually raised, pharmacies are at the centre of our communities and provide an accessible and vital NHS service. Today, the government launched #PharmacyFirst, enabling pharmacists to treat 7 common health conditions. Thank you to all #Watford pharmacies. https://t.co/BkYvPuaOoI
I welcome the news today that pharmacists will be able to treat more patients under #PharmacyFirst, thereby freeing up more GP appointments. Investment in new technologies and the pharmacy workforce are now vital to take advantage of these new opportunities. https://t.co/nLveAwxQQT