Sir Simon Stevens visited a community pharmacy in London even as the NHS announced that almost a third of a million health checks were conducted under its new Community Pharmacists Consultation Service. NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) tweeted a video clip on Friday (June 19) which showed the owner of Pavillion Pharmacy in Brixton, Martin Uhelak, explain to the NHS chief executive how the scheme was helping local communities access medication and treatment for minor ailments.
“Our pharmacy has been a hub of support to the community throughout the crisis. As addition to our normal service, we’ve helped many through the NHS 111 CPCS scheme,”
Uhelak was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the NHS. Calling pharmacists ‘highly qualified clinical experts’, Sir Simon said they were
“playing a key part in the NHS’s frontline response to the greatest public health threat in our history, and they are making thousands of safe, convenient consultations available every day.”
Commenting on CPCS, he said:
“This new service is part of a continually-developing NHS 111 service which is helping millions of people to safely access the right help fast, often without the need to go to a hospital A&E department. “As the NHS adapts its urgent care services for the coronavirus era, these new options are going to be increasingly important.”
Sir Simon’s visit followed Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s visit to another community pharmacy in London earlier in the week. Commenting on Sir Simon’s visit, National Pharmacy Association CEO Mark Lyonette said:
“It’s great that Sir Simon Stevens visited an NPA member this week and publicly acknowledged the vital work of pharmacies during the Covid-19 pandemic. “It’s also significant that he recognised the clinical skills of community pharmacists, which is a good basis for discussions with his senior team about the future of community pharmacy within the NHS.” “This week we have seen very senior figures in the NHS and government visit pharmacies. We want this positive dialogue to continue and lead to real improvements on the ground, for pharmacies, patients and the NHS as a whole.”
NHSE&I released the video clip after tweeting: “Thank you to all the community pharmacists who have played such a key part in the NHS’s response to #coronavirus. The support you’ve given to communities has made a real difference to patients and their families.”