This week's article for the Herald and Petersfield Post highlights the important role pharmacies can play in the community...
When the NHS Long Term Plan was published back at the start of 2019 it outlined some significant reforms to health services and how they would be developed and delivered over the next five years.
The ever-growing demand on services meant fundamental changes were needed, including a shift towards online GP consultations, redesigning hospital support to dramatically reduce the number of outpatient appointments, and expanding community health teams to support more people at home.
Although the extraordinary pressures of the pandemic accelerated the need for these reforms, the changes were already identified as fundamental to an NHS service fit for the future.
The triage system adopted by many GP practices means that patients can be supported by phone, video and online consultations, often at a more convenient time. And digitisation has also enabled GPs to prescribe medicines electronically direct to a patient’s nominated pharmacy; a system that saves time for everyone involved.
And although contacting a local GP practice will often be the first port of call when concerned about a health issue or symptoms, there are other options available that may be more appropriate and more convenient.
More of us will now be familiar with using the NHS 111 service. This provides access to round-the-clock advice and support that can help direct us to the right service, whether that be an out-of-hours GP appointment, a visit to a local Urgent Treatment Centre (like the one in Petersfield) or indeed a visit to A&E.
But pharmacies are another important part of the mix, beyond dispensing prescriptions.
Pharmacists are experts in medicine, and undergo five years of training. They can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains.
Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends, and there is no need for an appointment, and many have a private consultation room if needed.
And pharmacists have the right training to help give you the support you need and can for example tell you if you need to see a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional.
The New Medicine Service available at pharmacies can also provide extra help and advice if you’re starting on a new medicine for conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.
Other services that are often available include blood pressure, cholesterol or blood sugar testing, stopping smoking or weight management support, and of course flu vaccinations.
And if your medicine is out of date or some of it is left over after you have stopped taking it, you can take it to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
Pharmacies also sell a wide range of health, beauty and gift products, and are often located at the heart of our high streets and local communities. Pharmacies rely on local trade in the same way as many other town centre businesses do, and in-store sales are an important part of their business model and ability to stay on our high streets.
According to an Ipsos report last year, nearly all of the public (90 per cent) say they would feel comfortable seeing a community pharmacist for a minor illness such as an earache, having spoken to the GP receptionist, instead of organising an appointment with their GP.
Similarly, most would be comfortable with being referred to a pharmacist for an appointment on the same day to discuss a minor illness following an online consultation with a nurse or GP.
It is important that GP practices remain open to see patients, particularly for those who will find it difficult to make the move to online services, but digital solutions are here to stay and will continue to bring benefits in how services are accessed and delivered.
