Wednesday 31st January 2024

(9 months, 1 week ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrea Leadsom Portrait Dame Andrea Leadsom
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As I say, more than 95% of all community pharmacies have signed up to the service, and all their pharmacists have been trained in how to deliver it.

Steve Double Portrait Steve Double (St Austell and Newquay) (Con)
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As someone who has championed the role of community pharmacies throughout my time in this House, I warmly welcome today’s statement. I am particularly delighted that we were able to host one of the pilot schemes in Cornwall, which was hugely successful, resulting in 7,500 consultations that took 6,000 appointments away from GPs and 75 A&E appearances. Will the Minister join me in thanking all the pharmacies in Cornwall that took part in that pilot, which was so successful?

Andrea Leadsom Portrait Dame Andrea Leadsom
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Absolutely. It is only by trying these things that we can see how successful they can be, and I do believe this service is going to radically improve patient access to care.