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RPS President Ash Soni has called for the NHS to act "urgently" to provide a national minor ailment service in England. 

"There needs to be a clear NHS 'urgent care offer' to relieve the pressure on A&E," said Mr Soni in response to a report on urgent care and A&E from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and the Patients Association. The report shows that community pharmacy is the preferred treatment location for 47 per cent of patients with urgent care needs, yet many still attend A&E because they can't get the help they need when they require it. 

"In addition, the cost of treating patients with these problems at GP practices is three times higher than at a community pharmacy," said Mr Soni. "At A&E treatment costs are five times higher and it's estimated that a total cost saving of £1.1billion could be made if all minor ailments were treated at community pharmacies."

But current provision of minor ailment services is patchy, with only one in three pharmacies in England providing locally commissioned services. "This 'hit and miss' approach means both the public and health professionals remain unclear about the treatment that community pharmacies can provide, which drives patients straight back to overburdened A&E services.€