The NHS’s leading pharmacist in the North West has praised the ‘tireless’ work of the profession ahead of World Pharmacists Day, which has seen almost half a million patient consultations delivered in the region since the start of the year.
World Pharmacists Day, led by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), takes place today and aims to increase awareness of the role of pharmacists, with a theme this year of “Pharmacists: Meeting global health needs”.
Across the North West, the impact of pharmacists can be seen in their impressive service delivery figures. In the last year, pharmacies have continued to enhance the accessibility and quality of healthcare through a range of services:
- Blood Pressure Service: Since October 2021, North West pharmacies have performed 635,328 blood pressure checks, identifying 72,626 individuals with high or very high blood pressure. By supporting timely care and diagnoses, pharmacies are helping prevent strokes and heart attacks across the region.
- Contraception Service: Through the North West’s Contraception Service, 18,265 patients have been supported with the initiation or continuation of oral contraception, improving access and convenience for women across the region.
In addition to the wide range of services offered by pharmacies the NHS rolled out the Pharmacy First service this year. This service added to the existing consultation service and enables community pharmacies to complete episodes of care for seven common conditions including earache, sore throat, and urinary tract infections, aiming to address health issues before they get worse. This has released GP appointments for patients who need them most and gives people quicker and more convenient access to safe and high-quality healthcare. Since launching in January 2024 pharmacies across the North West have delivered 456,067 consultations. These have included urgent medicines supply, minor illness support, and treatment across seven clinical pathways.
Karen O’Brien, Regional Chief Pharmacist at NHS England – North West, said: “Pharmacists in the North West are integral to the NHS, working tirelessly to support patients in community pharmacies, hospital settings, GP practices and through commissioning roles. They are ensuring quality patient care is delivered at every level, from routine consultations to urgent referrals. Their work is essential to improving the overall health of our North West communities and wider, and we are proud to highlight the important role they play.”
Here in the North West we recognise how much pharmacies across the region continue to play an essential role in the delivery of primary and community care, working collaboratively with other healthcare providers to ensure high-quality care for patients and populations.
Pharmacists can help people to manage their conditions in their own home and they often provide self-care advice for those that need it.
The local pharmacy is often a first port of call if you have a cough, cold, tummy upset or any other health condition and want some quick face-to-face health advice. From providing essential services like blood pressure checks, contraceptive support, and urgent medicine supplies, to being central figures in multidisciplinary teams within GP practices, hospitals, and community care, pharmacists are at the heart of the NHS and ensure we deliver the best possible care.
The services provided by pharmacists are vital in not only supporting patients with day-to-day health needs but also preventing more serious conditions by offering proactive and accessible care and support.
Dr Paula Cowan, GP and Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England – North West, said: “Community pharmacists are an important part of primary care, working closely with GP practices, optometrists, and dentists to provide care for patients. The partnership between these professionals ensures patients receive the right care at the right time, while also relieving pressure on other parts of the healthcare system”.
As healthcare continues to evolve, pharmacists will remain at the forefront of primary and community care delivery, working together with other healthcare professionals in the region to improve health outcomes and overall patient experience.
To find out more about NHS pharmacies, including the services they provide and where to find them go to nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/
