PHARMACIES in Wales will be able to provide medication and NHS services for people with minor illnesses under a Welsh Government scheme.
Through the £750,000 Chose Pharmacy service people with less serious conditions such coughs, colds or ear aches will be able to drop into any pharmacy for advice and treatment rather than having to make an appointment with their GP.
The scheme is intended to free up GPs to deal with more seriously ill or injured patients. It is estimated minor conditions account for up to 18 per cent of GP’s workloads and eight per cent of A&E visits.
Pharmacists will also have access to patients’ individual records, with their consent
Wales’ deputy health minister Vaughan Gething said: “By enabling people with minor ailments to see highly-skilled pharmacists for advice and treatment, it will free up GPs’ time to focus on those people with more complex cases and reduce patient waiting times.
“Giving pharmacists access to patients’ summary medical records will significantly reduce the number of people who need to be referred to GP, out-of-hours services and A&E departments and will deliver considerable improvements in patient safety.”
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