Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, visited the Community Pharmacy in Coven today to discuss the contributions community pharmacies can make to improving patient care.
Staff at the pharmacy spoke to Gavin about the role in the community, highlighting the importance of integration of community pharmacies into local healthcare services. This can help patients to properly manage and get the most out of their medicines. The visit also allowed Gavin to see first-hand the growing contribution community pharmacies make to the health and wellbeing of the local community.
Gavin also heard about the flu vaccination service which will launch in September 2015. From then community pharmacies will be able to offer NHS flu vaccinations to adult patients aged 18 and over at the time of vaccination, who are defined as at risk of flu and patients aged 65 years old and over, free of charge.
After his visit Gavin commented: “The community pharmacy is an increasingly important resource in advancing primary care services in South Staffordshire and across the country. I was impressed by the enthusiasm and passion of the staff that I met today and it was clear to see invaluable role they play within our community, promoting good health, and delivering vital services.
“I was especially interested to learn about the flu vaccination service launching in September. It is a great opportunity for both increasing the number of eligible patients vaccinated to reduce the burden on GPs and secondary care by preventing a serious, and often fatal, illness, and the opportunity to improve integration of community pharmacies. I would encourage as many constituents in South Staffordshire who are at risk of flu to take advantage of this service and visit their local community pharmacy to protect themselves against flu.”