Community pharmacy is “hiding in plain sight” when it could be used to help solve the hospital demand crisis, says Cormac Tobin, managing director of Celesio UK.

With the NHS facing intense pressure at its traditionally busiest time of year, Mr Tobin implored the Government to act on its stated intention to introduce a national minor ailments scheme and reduce the burden on an over-stretched health service.

“In a recent parliamentary debate [pharmacy minister] David Mowat acknowledged that there is a big benefit in diverting some patients away from GPs and towards pharmacists but we are yet to see him put his money where his mouth is.

“My advice to the minister is: commission a national minor ailments service from community pharmacy now, before it is too late.”