Public overwhelmingly back fully funded Pharmacy First service
Daily Express
Members of the public are overwhelmingly in support of a Pharmacy First service in England, according to a YouGov poll commissioned by the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC), and they want it to be funded fairly. A Pharmacy First service would increase the services community pharmacies offer and encourage the public to visit them as a first port of call, for help and advice with a broad range of minor health conditions.
The poll of 1774 adults in England revealed:
- 68% of people agree that they would find it easier to seek health advice for common conditions, such as skin conditions or indigestion, at a community pharmacy rather than a GP surgery.
- 75% of people agree that they would like to see community pharmacies offering more healthcare services such as treating urinary tract infections or sore throats.
Chief Executive Janet Morrison OBE said:
“These poll results show that the public recognises the important work that pharmacies do to provide advice and support to those in the local community, and they convey the demand for a continued and enhanced service. Community pharmacies are able and willing to provide so much more in terms of additional health services, helping to free up the backlog of GP appointments and support people in their communities with a range of conditions. However, the current pharmacy funding levels – which have reduced by 30% since 2015 – mean they’re operating with one hand tied behind their back. It is vital that the government acts now to invest in the future of primary care through a fairly and fully funded Pharmacy First service: this would be good for the public and patients, good for pharmacies, and good for the rest of the NHS.”
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