Pharmacists could save the NHS £1.1 billion
pharmafile | October 20, 2014 | News story | Sales and Marketing | GP, GPs, NHS, UK, pharmacists
New research from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society shows that common ailments such as coughs and sore throats cost the NHS an extra £1.1 billion a year when patients are treated at A&E or GP surgeries – rather than at community pharmacies.
Results were equally good regardless of whether patients were treated at a pharmacy, A&E or GP practice according to the research, but the cost of treating common ailments in community pharmacies was found to be £29.30 per patient.
The cost of treating the same problems at A&E was found to be nearly five times higher at £147.09 per patient, and nearly three times higher at GP practices at £82.34 each.
Overall, the study estimates that 3% of all A&E consultations and 5.5% of GP consultations for common ailments could be managed in community pharmacies. This equates to over 650,000 visits to A&E and over 18 million GP consultations every year that could be diverted with a total annual cost saving of over £1billion.
To give patients faster treatment and create more capacity at A&E and GP surgeries for patients with more complex needs, the RPS is calling on the NHS in England to provide a national common ailments service through community pharmacies.
Common ailments schemes provide public access to NHS treatment and advice for specific minor ailments at a local pharmacy. People who qualify for free prescriptions still receive any necessary medication free of charge under the scheme, it says.
The two-year research study led by the University of Aberdeen examines data on consultations for common ailments from two A&E departments, six general practices and selected pharmacies in East Anglia and North East Scotland.
The most common simple problem patients sought help for across all locations were aches and pains in joints and muscles.
Other symptoms include respiratory problems such sore throat, cough, cold or sinus problems, stomach problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, and eye problems.
Lead researcher Dr Margaret Watson from the University of Aberdeen, says: “Treating these common problems places a substantial burden on A&E and GP services, especially over the winter period. This can increase waiting times, reduce availability of care for more serious conditions and incurs much greater expenditure on treatment than necessary.
“We must make the best use of NHS resources and give people the right advice in the right place, whilst making the most of the skills of NHS staff. You don’t need an A&E consultation to treat a short-term cough or a simple upset stomach.”
Ben Adams
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