The Minor Ailment Service (MAS) in community pharmacies will be extended to benefit everyone, the Scottish Government has said in its plans for the coming year.

The service which was previously only available to those who met certain age, health or income criteria, will be “redesigned” so it can be open to all.

In its report, Delivering for Today, Investing for Tomorrow - The Government's Programme for Scotland 2018-19, the Scottish Government unveiled their plans for the next year including the Bills that will be introduced to the Scottish Parliament.

On the subject of community pharmacy, it said: “We want more people to use their community pharmacy and think of their community pharmacist as the first point of access for care and advice. Enhancing these services and the clinical role of community pharmacists is crucial.

“We will build on the learning from the extended Minor Ailment Service pilot in Inverclyde and the rollout of the Pharmacy First initiative by developing and implementing a redesigned minor ailment and common conditions service available to all in the coming year.

“We are also strengthening and refreshing the Chronic Medication Service in order improve how it enables community pharmacists to provide personalised care for people with stable long‑term conditions. In the coming months we will say more about how the shape of this service will be enhanced by building in medication review, pharmacist prescribing and monitoring of patient medicines.”

Janice Oman, NPA Scotland Representation Manager said: “The Community Pharmacy Minor Ailment Service has supported patients to receive NHS treatment and advice without using GP or A&E appointment time for over a decade.

“Improving access for the service to all patients with common clinical conditions and improving community pharmacy services available to those with stable long term conditions demonstrates the Scottish Government’s recognition of the clinical expertise of pharmacists and the unique accessibility of community pharmacies.

“We look forward to hearing more details of the new redesigned service and its benefits to patients.”