Following the PMs announcement today on the Pharmacy Revolution to cut waiting lists I have written to SW London Integrated Care Board to ask how soon we will be able to access care in Kingston through our pharmacies.
Dear Lead Pharmacist Primary Care SW London Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Press Office
Following the announcement today about the opening up of pharmacies to support GPs and surgeries and hospital waiting lists could I ask you to give me a written statement to share with residents about our readiness to make this happen, the timeline involved, any challenges we face, the benefits or otherwise both for Primary Care Clinicians and Pharmacists and for Patients and other stakeholders.
Only today a colleague of mine has an infected thumb caused by a possible tick or insect bite and needs urgent attention with risk of lyme disease or sepsis - he tried to contact his doctor but could not wait 6 days, called 111 but was not recontacted at a time he could accept, and decided to go to A&E to get proper medical attention - with a pharmacy prescription all could have been solved within minutes ..
Please do let us know when it might be possible for residents to start to access their pharmacies for advice and prescriptions.
Many thanks
Helen Edward | Parliamentary Candidate Kingston & Surbiton
3 Bridle Cl, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2JW
https://www.facebook.com/HelenEdwardCWO/videos/925805129046407/
Over 1,500 pharmacies across London have signed up to the Government’s new Pharmacy Firstapproach.
Through Pharmacy First, pharmacists can treat seven common conditions without patients needing to see a GP or have a prescription first.
Not only will this help people receive treatment sooner, but it will free up vital GP appointments in our local surgeries. Conditions include Sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, Impetigo, Shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.
To launch this fantastic new scheme, I visited local Boots store and heard how even in the first few days so many people had turned up to seek medication and advice. A huge milestone in cutting the waiting list and giving residents access to fast medical intervention when they need it most in a potential emergency.
Like all the best policies, people are saying ... why didn't we do it before ? Answer .. We're doing it now ! (Get with the programme!)
