Pharmacies are the lifeblood of our communities, giving their patients regular, reliable, personal care.
As Chemist + Druggist readers may know, my mum set up and ran our local pharmacy in Southampton when I was growing up. I was proud to help her out there as a teenager for many years, delivering prescriptions and doing the books.
It was working alongside her where I saw for myself what a difference that local community pharmacies make. My mum would provide a ready ear and a helping hand for anyone worried about their health, and I witnessed first-hand the bonds of trust that were formed between those residents and her as a result.
I knew when I became Prime Minister that pharmacies could do even more. That’s why we introduced Pharmacy First.
It’s now quicker, easier and more convenient for millions of people to access NHS care for common conditions. For seven common complaints – including a sore throat, earache, shingles, sinusitis, and urinary tract infections – people can now just pop down to the pharmacy.
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Across our country, there are around 10,500 pharmacies just like the Sunak Pharmacy. Indeed, most people – four in five – live within a 20-minute walk of a pharmacy. And over 98 percent of them have signed up to Pharmacy First, a testament to the devotion and diligence of Britain’s pharmacists.
In February 2024 alone – the first full month it was in place - 125,275 Pharmacy First consultations took place in England. Once fully scaled, 10 million GP appointments a year will be freed up.
And in our manifesto we have confirmed we will go further by making contraceptive options, menopause support, and treatment for skin and chest infections available through Pharmacy First. It will free up a further 10 million GP appointments, making it easier for people to see their doctor if they need to.
Compare the progress we have made with Labour’s approach, who have made no funded commitment to expand Pharmacy First in their manifesto. In contrast to England, NHS waiting lists in Labour-run Wales increased to 768,899 in March 2024 – the highest number on record. Around a quarter of the Welsh population are now waiting to receive treatment, putting patients at risk.
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Whereas in Conservative-run England, waiting lists have seen their biggest fall outside the pandemic in over 10 years. We are also delivering the first ever Long-Term Workforce Plan – which is expanding training for pharmacists by almost 50 percent.
So, the choice at this election is clear between the Conservatives who have a clear plan to boost our community pharmacies and bring down waiting lists, and Labour who have no plan, have failed patients in Wales, and would take us back to square one.
As the son of a community pharmacist, it continues to be my privilege to support our pharmacists as Prime Minister, and I would like to thank you for all that you do for our country. A vote for the Conservatives on 4th July will ensure you continue to have a champion at the heart of government.
Thoughts? Email C+D's editor at haveyoursay@chemistanddruggist.co.uk