The health service has been one of the key issues throughout the election campaign and there are clear priorities for patients and pharmacy which must now be addressed.

Following the general election result, the RPS is already engaging with new Ministers and MPs to highlight key issues from our manifesto for the coming Parliament, including addressing the growing challenge of medicines shortages, fair funding to maintain patient access to a resilient community pharmacy network, student access to the learning support fund, and investment in hospital pharmacy and aseptic pharmacy services.

We’ll also continue working with partners, patient groups and coalitions on campaign issues such as self-care, prescription charges, women’s health and health inequalities.

Chair of the RPS in England Ms Tase Oputu said:

“Our joint report with The King’s Fund highlighted how pharmacists across healthcare will be central to reducing health inequalities, managing the growing cost of long-term conditions, and delivering best value from medicines for patients and the NHS.

“There are some key enablers to make this a success, including workforce planning to ensure a pipeline of pharmacists to meet demand, commissioning new pharmacist prescribing services, and much-needed investment in electronic prescribing and interoperable patient records. These were recognised by the Health Select Committee Inquiry into pharmacy, and we are urging the new government to consider the inquiry’s recommendations closely.

“Pharmacy teams and the whole of the workforce are under continued pressure and it is crucial that a re-energised NHS Long-Term Workforce Plan is backed by much-needed investment, alongside steps to improve retention.

“I look forward to working with the Government on how we can support pharmacists and pharmacy teams to help build an NHS fit for the future.”

Find out more about the RPS general election manifesto and how you can support our campaigns.

Read more RPS news stories.