Sore Throat? Visit your Pharmacy

Patients with sore throat will be encouraged to visit their pharmacist instead of their GP for an on-the-spot test.

17:58 15 November 2016

NHS England is introducing a walk-in service where patients with a sore throat are encouraged to visit their pharmacist for an on-the-spot test. The scheme aims to reduce GP visits, a move that can potentially save the NHS millions of pounds a year.   

 

The Sore Throat Test and Treat Service will determine if an illness is caused by a virus or bacterial infection. Patients will receive the test results in five minutes and can be prescribed with antibiotics, if needed.   

 

The scheme, which will be rolled out across the country over the coming year, has been described as a “quite innovative step” by Dr Adam Roberts, a microbiologist specialising in antibiotic resistance at University College London. 

 

He said: "Anything that reduces our reliance and our inappropriate use of antibiotics is a good thing.

 

"The initial data they showed using this kit showed that of around 360 individuals that took part only 36 were given a prescription, which is a massive reduction."

 

Meanwhile, Claire Ward, chairwoman of Pharmacy Voice, which represents the trade, said that the scheme is a "kind of thing community pharmacies should be undertaking".