LISTEN: MLA says pharmacies can play key role in easing NHS pressure

By Q Radio News

An MLA has hailed a new community pharmacy plan which aims to ease pressure on the NHS.

An agreement to commission the strategy has been reached by the Department of Health, the Health and Social Care Board and Community Pharmacy NI.

It will focus on making services more accessible through local chemists here.

Independent MLA Claire Sugden says the pandemic has highlighted the importance of local pharmacies. 

However, she says the health minister needs to support them with appropriate funding going forward. 

“Over the last year, community pharmacies proved just how valuable they are, as GPs, hospitals and other NHS providers limited services to deal with the pandemic,” Ms Sugden said.

“Patients were able to visit their local pharmacy for minor ailments, receive advice and be provided with medication, including on prescription. The expertise of pharmacists came to be even more recognised and appreciated, and the role they can play in continuing to relieve pressure on the NHS should be capitalised on as health services battle to work through ever-growing waiting lists.

“To do so, however, they require help from government. I hope this plan will detail this help and provide the necessary funds and resources.”

The focus of this year’s commissioning plan will be on provision of accessible services for the safe supply and use of medicines, activities to promote good physical and mental health, vaccination services, first point of contact for advice and treatment of common illnesses, support for patients in care homes and those receiving end of life care.

“Community pharmacists joined the vaccine roll-out programme at the end of March,” Ms Sugden added.

“This highlighted both the skills they possess and their desire to help people before they require more serious treatment.

“As the rebuilding of our health service begins, we need to utilise all the tools we have. Community pharmacists will be vital in this fight.”