Community pharmacists are to get a fresh programme of training to help them take pressure off GP practices, it has been announced.

Pharmacists will be offered training in patient-facing consultations and clinical assessments in a project backed by the Royal College of GPs. Pharmacies are now seeing 10,000 patients a week in England referred to them by NHS 111 rather than to practices. Under the training, offered by Health Education England, they will also learn to work in primary care network multi-disciplinary teams.

Royal College of GPs chair Professor Martin Marshall said: “We hope the programme will further strengthen the close working relationship between general practice and pharmacy. As we move into the next stage of the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for a busy winter and potential second wave of the virus, this will be vital.”

Professor Sheona MacLeod, interim Director of Education and Quality, Health Education England, said: “HEE is delighted to be working with the RPS, the RCGP and CPPE at this exciting time for the pharmacy workforce. This provision for community pharmacists is a timely and welcome collaboration which supports the development of an expert flexible workforce which can work safely and confidently across care settings, in line with the NHS Long Term Plan.”

Bruce Warner, deputy chief pharmaceutical officer of NHS England and NHS Improvement, said: “This new partnership will benefit patients by making greater use of the valuable and extensive clinical skills of community pharmacists, providing faster and convenient access to care for patients and at the same helping reduce pressure on GPs and other services.”