Richard visited Brittania Pharmacy in Basildon recently.
Speaking after the visit, Richard said:
"I had a great time meeting the team behind Brittania Pharmacy in Basildon to chat about how community pharmacies can be instrumental in reducing the pressure on our acute hospitals.
There’s a real opportunity for us, as a country, to culture shift how we access our medical services. For minor ailments, our first port of call, rather than seeing a GP - or going to A&E - should be our local pharmacy, receive professional advice and if necessary the medicine we need without waiting, and on an easy walk-in basis.
Adapting and being more efficient when accessing healthcare services can mean we all get the treatment we need sooner. To that end, I have spoken with our ICB about how pharmacists can start contributing more to patients and even proscribe themselves, and they explained how pharmacists are working with GPs to ensure that non-brand specific medication is being proscribed so pharmacists can use their training to recommend and supply better alternatives.
This will really ensure patients still receive medication and treatment they need without unnecessary delay.
I’ll keep working with and supporting our local pharmacies across Basildon and Billericay."
