Pharmacists may take on GP’s work

People with long-term chronic illnesses may be seen by a pharmacist instead of a GP in years to come.
People wanting help with lifestyle changes including giving up smoking, or who suffer from long-term health conditions, or who want health advice could find themselves being seen by a pharmacist trained to prescribe medicines.

The idea is being piloted in parts of Hampshire but pharmacists are aware they have to win the hearts and minds of both GPs and patients if they are to develop a bigger role across the entire country including Scotland.

University of Portsmouth lecturer and pharmacist Stephen Inns is currently one of just two doctor-funded pharmacists in Hampshire trained to prescribe drugs. He is among the UK’s first cohort of independent prescribing pharmacists.

At the moment about 60 percent of a GP’s time is spent reviewing patients with long-term chronic illnesses, according to Mr Inns. But with additional training pharmacists could take on the management of patient-care for such people, freeing GPs to spend more time diagnosing illnesses and treating more complex cases.

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