Saqib has welcomed the launch of the Conservative Government’s Pharmacy First approach, helping people to receive care more quickly through better use of pharmacies. Having consistently campaigned for better healthcare services across the Solihull borough, Saqib is thrilled that patients in his constituency can now access treatment for common health conditions without visiting a GP or having a prescription.
Pharmacies signed up to the initiative will be able to help with several conditions, including sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bite, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women. Following the assessment, the pharmacist can then supply prescription-only medicines, including antibiotics and antivirals, to treat the problem.
The Pharmacy First approach builds on the measures outlined in the Primary Care Recovery Plan, including tackling the 8 am rush by giving GPs new digital tools and providing more GP staff and more appointments. The Plan aims to free up 10 million GP appointments a year by next winter and give the public more choice in where and how they access care.
The government has made strong progress on improving access to primary care including meeting its manifesto pledge to deliver 50 million additional GP appointments since 2019 and recruiting record numbers of doctors and nurses for the NHS.
Commenting on the Pharmacy First approach, Saqib said:
“The pandemic put huge pressure on the NHS, as we continue to recover patients must receive the care they need quickly and easily. That is why I am delighted by the government’s Pharmacy First Approach which will speed up access to care and reduce pressure on GP services.”
“It is wonderful that 281 pharmacies across Birmingham and Solihull have signed up to Pharmacy First, ensuring that local people can access care. Securing better healthcare provisions for my constituents is of the utmost importance and I will continue to campaign on this issue.”
Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins MP said:
“I’m determined to deliver faster, simpler, fairer access to care for patients, and the expansion of Pharmacy First will mean patients can get treatment for common conditions without needing to see their GP first.
“This is good news for patients and good news for the NHS. It will free up millions of GP appointments per year and mean that patients can get quick and effective treatment from their local pharmacy.
“As four in five people live within a 20-minute walk of a pharmacy, for many seeing their local pharmacist will be the easiest option – so this initiative will have real benefits for patients and help cut NHS waiting lists.”
