Healthcare experts have said that pharmacists should see patients in general practice to help ease pressure on GPs. The new proposals outlined by the Royal College of General Practice (RCGP) and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) would see pharmacists providing direct care for common ailments, rather than selling medication in surgeries.

Under the proposals, pharmacists who receive additional training would give health advice and prescribe medication. This could be of particular benefit to patients with chronic conditions, as those on multiple medications may find it easier to get their prescriptions. Patients in need of further medical attention would still be able to be seen by their practice nurse or GP.

Leading figures in the medical sector argue that these measures are needed to help surgeries meet the demands of an ageing population, as high numbers of trained pharmacists could step in to ease the burden on GPs.

Dr Maureen Baker, chairwoman of the RCGP, said: “Even if we were to get an urgent influx of extra funding and more GPs, we could not turn around the situation overnight due to the length of time it takes to train a GP.

“Yet we already have a ‘hidden army’ of highly-trained pharmacists who could provide a solution.

“This isn’t about having a pharmacy premises within a surgery, but about making full use of the pharmacist’s clinical skills to help patients and the over-stretched GP workforce.”

Katherine Murphy of the Patients Association said: “Any action that can, at the very least, ease the problem is to be welcomed and this plan for doctors and pharmacists to work together is an innovative step in the right direction.

“Of course, there must always be concerns that the pharmacists who undertake this work have the relevant skills and qualifications to treat patients, and with care.”