NHS England plans to place pharmacists in GP surgeries

Credit: PA

NHS England has announced plans to place 1500 new pharmacists in doctors' surgeries over the next four years, to ease the burden on GPs.

A study has shown that having a pharmacist working 4 sessions a week in a surgery saved over 400 hours of GP time over a year.

Many of the practices involved are in the South West.

The plan to incorporate in-house pharmacists in surgeries follows a recent nationwide trial.

Frances Loftus is a pharmacist at Christchurch Medical Practice in Bristol which was involved in the trial.

She helps patients with long term conditions like arthritis and hypertension, and also helps them manage their medications.

She says people should trust pharmacists as they have a wealth of experience.

GPs train for ten years before achieving qualified status.

Pharmacists train for five years with an extra 18 months specialist training before working in a doctors' surgery.

Surgeries will share pharmacists, with 16 full time pharmacists covering all 46 practices in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

6 full-time pharmacists based in Devon will cover 24 surgeries.

NHS England says the move will reduce waiting times. Credit: ITV West Country

The government says it is aiming to recruit 5000 extra GPs by 2020.

Dr Tharsha Sivayokan is a GP partner at the same medical centre as Ms Loftus.

He says the scheme must be supported by training more doctors.