Pharmacists could “drastically reduce” pressures on GPs and A&E departments if they were commissioned to deliver national minor ailments services, according to NHS Alliance.
 

Anecdotal evidence from members had suggested that workload this winter was 20-30 per cent above predicted volumes, the primary care organisation said. This pressure could be relieved if patients with minor ailments, colds, flu and long-term conditions were seen by a community pharmacist as part of nationally commissioned programmes, NHS Alliance chair Mike Dixon said in a press statement on Friday (January 9).

PSNC also highlighted the potential role of community pharmacy in reducing winter pressures on GPs and hospitals, in letters sent to The Times and health secretary Jeremy Hunt last week.
 

NHS Alliance's announcement follows the news that some hospital trusts and clinical commissioning groups were urging patients to visit pharmacies, as they struggled to cope with “unprecedented” pressure this winter. Data released by the Department of Health last week revealed that 70,000 more patients had visited A&E departments in England in the previous fortnight than during the same period last year.
 

A fragmented service
 

Commenting on the crisis, Mr Dixon said the current healthcare system had become "too fragmented and complicated”. Patients with minor ailments were being directed to out-of-hours services, which meant those with more urgent health conditions were being “forced into ambulances” rather than being treated in primary care.

“The real issue behind the reported crisis is how and where patients get treatment across the many and varied primary care options available to them,” Dr Dixon said.
 

Intelligent clinical triaging was needed to ensure patients were sent "to the right place at the right time", Dr Dixon stressed. NHS Alliance members had reported that the NHS 111 service was "not working in many areas" and an "immediate review" was needed to ensure patients were aware of all of the healthcare options available.
 

PSNC frustration

In a letter published in The Times on Saturday (January 10), PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe said she had watched the winter crisis with "concern and frustration". Community pharmacy was "ready and willing to help" and could "contribute so much more" if it had "the right levers in place", Ms Sharpe said.

"Community pharmacies come into contact with more patients than any other health profession. We hope that those with the power to order change will make the most of pharmacy," she added. 

Earlier this month, NHS England announced it was considering commissioning a national minor ailments service as part of its ongoing review of urgent and emergency care, which has also recommended pharmacists be incorporated into NHS 111.

Which pharmacy services would you like to see commissioned nationally?

 

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