Oral Answers to Questions

Steve Double Excerpts
Tuesday 23rd October 2018

(6 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Steve Barclay Portrait Stephen Barclay
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Again, the hon. Lady draws attention to my work on driving productivity improvements within the system, which looks at a range of efficiencies such as sending texts and emails, dealing with missed appointments and the use of green energy. We can implement a whole range of initiatives as a part of that agenda.

Steve Double Portrait Steve Double (St Austell and Newquay) (Con)
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As the first port of call for patients with often minor ailments, community pharmacists can really help to improve the efficiency of the NHS by taking pressure off GPs. What plans do the Government have to support and enhance the role of community pharmacists?

Steve Barclay Portrait Stephen Barclay
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My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the valuable role played by pharmacies. This is part of a wider education campaign within the NHS and increased access to clinicians, such as through 111, is another component of that. We want to ensure that rather than people’s first port of call being a GP, they access the NHS and pharmacies at the appropriate time.