GPs and pharmacists have helped cut opioid prescriptions in England by 450,000 in under four years, latest data shows, as the NHS today unveils a new action plan to crack down on the overuse of potentially-addictive medicines. The new framework for local health and care providers aims to further reduce inappropriate prescribing of high-strength painkillers […]

Just one in five people aged 18-40 would visit their local pharmacy first for expert advice with a minor illness, new polling has found. The NHS has today launched a new campaign to highlight how high-street pharmacies can support patients with non-urgent health advice for minor conditions including coughs, aches and colds. ‘Movie-inspired’ Help Us […]

Around than nine in ten people surveyed positively rated the advice they received from their local pharmacies; new polling shows today. As pharmacies play a greater role in looking after peoples’ health, the results from Ipsos found that the vast majority of patients (91%) who had used a community pharmacy in the previous year for […]

There are dozens of sites open across the country offering flu and covid vaccines on Christmas Day with more than 5,500 slots available for anyone yet to come forward. Pharmacies are open and jabbing during the festivities at locations all over England, including London, Manchester, Darlington and Deal. There are also more than 100,000 appointments […]

The NHS is asking patients to use services wisely during industrial action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using NHS 111 online as the first port of call for health needs and continuing to only use 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency. […]

People should continue to come forward for the care they need during industrial action, the NHS has said today. Deputy Chief Nursing Officer Charlotte McArdle said it is “vital” they come forward for emergency care during strikes. The call follows messaging issued by the NHS last week across NHS websites and social media telling patients […]

More than 100,000 patients were seen by their high street pharmacist in just one month according to new NHS figures, helping people get the quick care they need as well as easing pressure on GP teams facing record demand. In June, 118,123 people with minor illnesses such as a sore throat or constipation, or those […]

Staff in high street pharmacies will be funded to spot signs of cancer as part of a new drive to catch tumours early when they are easier to treat, NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard announced today. Customers will then be sent for scans and other checks under the initiative, which is being trialled by pharmacies […]

The NHS in England has today confirmed the appointment of the next Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England. Following an open recruitment process, David Webb, currently Chief Pharmacist and Clinical Director for Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London, will join the Medical Directorate and lead the national pharmacy […]

Thousands of lives will be saved thanks to more blood pressure checks in high street pharmacies, the NHS said today. Every NHS pharmacy in England will be able to provide the lifesaving checks to people aged 40 and over from October thanks to a new deal between pharmacies and the NHS. Over the next five […]