Pharmacists' extended role

Local pharmacies in the community will provide a greater range of services that are currently carried out by GPs.

Under new government plans they will be able to screen people for vascular disease as well as certain sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia.

Pharmacists will also be given power to prescribe certain common medicines and be the first people to visit with minor ailments.

This will save every GP the equivalent of around one hour per day, adding up to some 57 million GP consultations a year.

Doctors' groups and pharmacists have welcomed the plans, saying they should benefit both GPs and patients.

The Department of Health will appoint two new pharmacist clinical directors who will champion change in hospitals and in the community.

Health minister Ben Bradshaw said the plans would see pharmacists complementing the work of GPs rather than taking it over.

"A pharmacy isn't just a place where you go to pick up a prescription. It's a service, staffed by health professionals who are capable of dealing with minor ailments, screening for diseases and giving health advice to the local community," he added.

"As 99 per cent of the population can get to a pharmacy within 20 minutes, everyone will benefit from more types of treatment available through local pharmacies who can prescribe more, advise more and deal with more."

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