27 Jul 2018
The Scottish Conservative have today launched their five-point plan for enhancing the capabilities of pharmacies.
At a visit to Dears Pharmacy in Edinburgh, Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Miles Briggs spoke about the party’s plans to make pharmacies a key partner in primary health care.
It comes during a GP crisis in Scotland that has seen many general practises become understaffed and overwhelmed by increased demand.
The aim of the plan is to use pharmacies to ease the pressure on GPs by allowing them to become trained prescribers, and to allow them to treat more common ailments.
There is also a proposal to extend the opening times of pharmacies to provide more round the clock care, with the potential for 24-hour pharmacies being explored.
Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Miles Briggs MSP said:
“Under this SNP Government a crisis has developed in our GP services, and we need to start looking at ways to alleviate the pressure.
“Pharmacies are in an ideal position to help, and that’s why we want to see them become a key partner in primary health care.
“By increasing their capabilities and allowing them to become trained prescribers we can allow pharmacies to treat common ailments more speedily.
“And by exploring the introduction of extended hours for pharmacies, including in 24-hour supermarkets, we can help provide immediate help around the clock.
“This would not only take pressure off our GPs, but also provide better patient care – something that is key to this plan.”
A copy of the plan can be found here:
http://www.scottishconservatives.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Pharmacies-Plan.pdf
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