A new report from the Nuffield Trust published today (May 17) urges the NHS to equip pharmacists, community nurses and support staff with additional skills to deliver care in order to increase capacity in the service.

Responding to the report, 'Reshaping the workforce to deliver the care patients need’, RPS English Board Chair Sandra Gidley said: “This report seizes on what we’ve advocated for a long time – that the skills, knowledge and training that pharmacists and other NHS staff have must be better utilised to create better care for patients.

“What’s vital is that the right professional does the right job, and pharmacists should be involved whenever medicines are involved in patient care. The future for all pharmacists lies in greater integration with the primary care team, something we have all wanted for so long, in whatever setting it takes place.”

The full report can be read by clicking here.