Boost for Pharmacy First scheme with plans to deliver more health services across Hazel Grove constituency to speed up access to care.
Patients across Hazel Grove Constituency will be able to access vital care when they need it more quickly under new plans unveiled by the Conservatives.
The plans will see more out-of-hospital GP, pharmacy, and community diagnostic centres with a pledge to build 100 new GP surgeries and modernise 150 more, focusing on the areas of greatest need, particularly those with plans in place for new housing developments.
So far, the existing Pharmacy First scheme, which allows patients to get treatment from their local pharmacy without needing to visit a GP, has been a great success with 98 per cent of pharmacies signed up. Building on this success, the Conservatives have pledged to expand Pharmacy First to allow for treatment of other conditions, including offering women more contraceptive options and menopause support, and providing treatment for acne and chest infections – freeing up around 20 million GP appointments in total.
There are also plans in place to build 50 new community diagnostic centres, on top of the 160 already built this Parliament, to deliver a further 2.5 million checks and diagnostic tests a year once scaled.
Welcoming the news, Paul Athans, the Conservative General Election candidate for Hazel Grove said:
The NHS is precious to me and to everyone in our area. The pandemic put huge pressure on our NHS services here in Hazel Grove and as we continue with recovery, it is essential that patients receive the care they need, quickly and easily, which is why I was delighted about Pharmacy First.
Building on this great success, the Conservatives have announced a clear plan to deliver even more out-of-hospital services across the country by expanding Pharmacy First, build or modernise GP surgeries and invest in new Community Diagnostic Centres.
We are sticking with the plan to improve access to care and cut NHS waiting lists so that everyone can access the treatment they need, when they need it.”
Health Secretary, Victoria Atkins, said:
Pharmacies, GPs and Community Diagnostic Centres are the backbone of our NHS. Because of bold action we have taken, they are more accessible in more places for more people.
I know just how important it is for people to have access to health services and treatment close to home - and Pharmacy First and our hundreds of new Community Diagnostic Centres have been a real success story so far. But we must do more.
Our clear plan will continue to enable our brilliant pharmacists, GPs and CDCs to do what they do best: serving their local community and boosting capacity in our NHS. We will make the NHS faster, simpler and fairer for all.”
