British Lung Foundation welcomes Government initiative to give pharmacists a bigger role – 3/4/08

Health Minister Ben Bradshaw has announced new plans which will lead to pharmacists having a greater role in providing health care in the community. In the white paper published today, the government plans to encourage Primary Care Trusts to commission more services from pharmacies. Alongside dispensing prescriptions, chemists will also be used to diagnose minor ailments and administer health screening. The proposals are set to save millions of GP consultations a year and give people better access to convenient health care.

“If this initiative could improve the early diagnosis of respiratory conditions it is to be welcomed", says Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation. "Late diagnosis of widespread diseases like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease blights the lives of millions of people in the UK, particularly in deprived areas, and places a huge financial burden on the NHS. A simple lung test carried out by properly trained people could have a huge impact on improving our lung health."

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For more information or interviews please contactCasey Purkiss, 020 7688 5564/ casey.purkiss@blf-uk.orgor Katherine Huntly on 020 7688 5588 / Katherine.huntly@blf-uk.org

Out of hours: 07976 227 076