Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt MP visited Mount Elgon Pharmacy in Carshalton, South London, to see the vital role that community pharmacy plays in delivering patient care and maintaining and improving the health of the nation.

Demonstrating the services that pharmacy provides, pharmacist Raj Patel and his team offered Mr Hunt a first-hand view of the benefits an NHS Minor Ailment Scheme brings to patients and to local GPs, and Mr Hunt was even able to receive an NHS Health Check during his visit.

Rob Darracott, chief executive of Pharmacy Voice, was also on hand to explain how better use of community pharmacy can relieve pressure on the NHS, particularly during winter months: “Up to 20 per cent of a GP’s time can be spent dealing with the common ailments that can be dealt with by a pharmacy. With the right understanding and investment, there could be significant benefits across the health service to greater involvement of pharmacy.”

"It was great to see local pharmacy services in action, delivering a wide range of services to their community and working closely with other health services," commented Mr Hunt.