Simon Jones: Watch and wait

It must be hard for the those in the optometric sector to read about Rishi Sunak’s primary care ‘recovery plan,’ and not think, ‘but what about us?’ The basic crux of the idea is to mobilise pharmacists to be the first port of call for patients suffering from things like earache, sore throat, or urinary tract infections. 

For the first time, patients will be able to get prescription medication for these conditions from pharmacists without the need for a GP appointment. Doctors will be asked to participate in online triaging services to direct patients to the most appropriate care. It was expected that some 15 million face-to-face GP appointments would be freed up over the next two years.