Graham Stretch, practice pharmacist and director of non-medical clinical services at the west London-based medical care provider The Argyle Health Group, told C+D the group had acquired a GP practice in the Isleworth area, which it intends to run as a “pharmacy-led surgery”.

“The practice is currently using locum GPs. We want to replace the locums with five pharmacists, with a view to [setting up] a pharmacy-led practice, and equity share for successful pharmacists and pharmacy technicians,” Mr Stretch told C+D last week (August 3).

Routine surgery work would be conducted by five independent prescriber pharmacists – “ideally with specialisms” – alongside two GPs and “several technicians”, he explained.

Acute GP shortage

“The shortage of GPs is particularly acute in this practice, and actually we can do a lot with our experienced pharmacists,” Mr Stretch said.

"There is always plenty of work for the GPs," Mr Stretch said. "The rest of the work would be done by pharmacists."

"I know we can do a good job," he added. "It will be interesting to see."

The job advert, posted last month, asks for “experienced generalist pharmacist practitioners” and “pharmacist specialists in respiratory, cardiac and diabetes management”, to work in the Ealing/Isleworth area.

Three pharmacists and two pharmacy technicians are due to start next week, Dr Stretch added.

Amendment: This article was amended on 10 August at the request of Dr Stretch.

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