A pilot scheme offering prescriptions and health advice through the rural post office network is promised by the Government in its White Paper "A fair deal for rural England ", published on November 28.
The pilot scheme will test the viability of extending the range of business activities and other service provided from post offices. As well as prescriptions and health advice, the pilot will offer banking, one-stop internet access, pensions and benefits on top of normal post office business. The Government says that 99 per cent of people in rural areas live within three miles of a post office.
The Government also plans to set up 100 internet access and learning points so that people in rural area have easy access to advice on health and other matters.
Elsewhere in the White Paper, references to pharmacy and health care reflect the National Health Service plan for England and the NHS pharmacy plan.
A companion White Paper on urban issues, "Our towns and cities: the future ", which was published on November 16, also draws on the NHS plan for its references to health care issues.
Both White Papers can be accessed on the website of the Department of the
Environment, Transport and the Regions (www.detr.gov.uk).