EXCLUSIVE

Pharmacists are displaying an "appetite" to work in GP practices across England, according to local pharmaceutical committees (LPCs).

Last week, NHS England revealed the details of the 73 pilot sites it will partially fund to employ 403 pharmacists over three years. The sites will begin recruiting “immediately”, with the roles due to begin in the spring, the commissioning body said at the time.

LPCs told C+D they have already been approached by members keen to apply for the positions. Essex LPC chief executive Ash Pandya said four pharmacists in his area have expressed an interest.

The LPC put in a joint bid with a local GP federation to become one of the pilot sites, but had "unfortunately" been unsuccessful, Mr Pandya said last week (November 19). Two other pilot applications in the region have been approved, and the LPC intends to "get behind" the initiative, he added.

Pilot will bring professions together

Community Pharmacy West Yorkshire chief executive Robbie Turner said “quite a few pharmacists” have approached the LPC consortium about the pilot. The organisation is encouraging pharmacists to apply for the roles, because they will “bring together” the two professions, he said.

“We want people to have more of a portfolio career. We won’t see a wholesale shift from pharmacy to GP practices, but if pharmacists can cross that boundary then it’s going to be great for patients,” Mr Turner added.

Bedfordshire LPC chief officer Gerald Zeidman told C+D that pharmacists are interested in working in GP practices as to way "move the profession forward". The pilot could give pharmacists “greater clinical input” in areas where they have been unable to “use their full skills in the past”, he said.

“It’s not suitable for everybody, but there is a definite interest from some of our pharmacies,” Mr Zeidman added.

NHS England originally earmarked £15 million to partially fund “at least” 250 practice pharmacists, but confirmed earlier this month that this will be increased to £31m to employ a total of 403 pharmacists across 698 practices.

View a list of the 73 pilot sites here.

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