Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with the pharmacy sector on enhancing the minor ailments scheme to utilise the skills and knowledge of pharmacists and reduce the pressure on GPs and A&E waiting times.

The five-year deal on the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF), published by the Department in July 2019 for England, sets out an expanded role for community pharmacy across prevention, urgent care and medicine safety. It will provide accessible and convenient healthcare, allowing people to quickly access a much wider range of services and health advice, in the heart of their community, reliving pressure on general practitioner (GP) practices and other parts of the health service, including accident and emergency services.