The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 280 No 7502 p584
17 May 2008

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Pharmacy should be consulted on plans to expand GP services

The pharmacy profession must be consulted as part of the Government’s plans to invest in GP services, including creating 12 new practices in under-doctored areas, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society said this week.

Health secretary Alan Johnson last week announced that £13.2m was being given to 12 primary care trusts to invest in new GP premises. The Government is also planning to consult with the British Medical Association on how another £105m will be spent on developing more GP services in England, including extending the opening hours of surgeries to increase patient access.

Society President Hemant Patel said: “While the Society supports the Government’s commitment … we would also expect to see pharmacy included in the planning and commissioning of these new healthcare services. In many areas where there is not currently a GP surgery there may already be a pharmacy, able to offer professional healthcare advice.”