PATIENTS waiting to see their GP to discuss their medication may soon be given the option to see a pharmacist instead.

A initiative by NHS England could see clinical pharmacists become part of the team in every doctor’s surgery throughout the country.

The scheme, which was piloted in 2015, saw the successful introduction of these clinical pharmacists to practices across the country where they worked along side GPs and practice nurses in consulting and treating patients.

A second wave has been given the go ahead and promises open the scheme up to 29 more sites across Lancashire and Cumbria

Malcolm Ridgway, clinical director for quality and effectiveness at Blackburn with Darwen CCG, said: “The clinical pharmacists based in practices will work alongside other key staff such as advanced nurse practitioners to free up GPs’ time to deal with more serious issues.

“They will also help people to self-care and take control of the management of their own health and any long-term health issues.

“The pharmacists would also be able to review medications to maximise benefit and minimise side-effects.”

The introduction of the second wave of the scheme comes after the NHS pledged to invest over £1billion to support GPs in 2016.

Russ McLean, chair of the Pennine Lancashire Patients’ Voices Group, said: “Money is tight and the NHS is having to think about how it is spent.

“In the past, there has been criticisms of the number of pharmacists the NHS employs, so it makes sense to move them to where they are needed.

“East Lancashire Trust has already seen the benefit of having pharmacists on the wards in hospitals, so moving them into GP practices is the logical next step.”

Mr McLean added there is nothing stopping patients from seeing their GP if they want or need to.

“The option to see a GP will never disappear, but the days are gone where you could ring up and speak to your family GP.

“Remember that pharmacists often know more about medication than GPs.”

“It’s really is fantastic, brilliant news for patients”