Bill Esterson MP says Pharmacies can play a bigger role in delivering healthcare

MP Bill Esterson has said that he is backing local Pharmacies to help deliver 21st century healthcare and has called on the Government to increase support. Sefton Central MP Mr Esterson; a long time supporter of the work Pharmacies do to deliver primary healthcare; is pushing the Government to do more to help community Pharmacies deliver services and take the pressure off GPs.

Mr Esterson is backing the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) in calling for more funding for the services that community Pharmacies offer. The PSNC is also campaigning for additional support to provide more walk in services and telephone advice, and they say a plan to tackle Pharmacy workforce issues is a must from the Government. Mr Esterson said:- "Pharmacies do great work and can provide many health services for ˝ the price a GP can. But Pharmacies need an uplift in funding to take into account the pressures they are experiencing. I have written to the Government to ask them to reassess their decision not to increase funding for extra services. The Government is currently asking Pharmacies to deliver more for the same amount of money. They promised to create efficiencies to reduce other costs, but it's not working. Community Pharmacies made an enormous contribution during theCovid19 Pandemic, with millions of patients turning to them when they could not access other parts of the health service. Despite the pressures on them, they have also leapt at the chance to deliver new public health services; including vaccinations and NHS Test and Trace services. Investment in Pharmacies is a no-brainer in terms of the cost benefit of that funding. Pharmacies can deliver safe, effective and timely services at a fraction of the cost of GPs. It is short sighted for the Government not to use Pharmacies more as GP services remain under massive strain."

Mr Esterson this week attended a Parliamentary briefing on unlocking local Pharmacies' potential to deliver better primary care for constituents. Mr Esterson added:- "Local Pharmacies worked heroically during the Pandemic, keeping their doors open and providing services to constituents, but they can do so much more. There's never been a more important time for Parliament to support the vital contribution local Pharmacies make and understand that they can play an even bigger role in healthcare, but only with the right support from Government."

Fake goods up in smoke thanks to pooch Pippa

THOUSANDS of pounds worth of illegal cigarettes and tobacco have been taken off the streets of Liverpool thanks to the nose power of a furry, 4 legged Officer, a 6 year old English Springer Spaniel. To crack down on the sale of counterfeit goods, Liverpool City Council's Alcohol and Tobacco Unit has welcomed a new addition to the tea; Pippa, a specially trained tobacco sniffer dog,  provided by detection dogs specialist Wagtails UK.

The unit carried out unannounced inspections of 6 premises across the City, on Sunday, 28 November 2021, and from 4 shops they discovered 31,000 illicit cigarettes and 6kg worth of loose tobacco; worth in excess of ₤16,000. The fake products were all hidden in concealed compartments which were sniffed out by Pippa in the Kensington, City Centre and in County Ward. The haul consisted of foreign labelled cigarettes, counterfeit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco. Counterfeit cigarettes and non-duty paid/smuggled cigarettes have been found to contain higher levels of toxic components such as tar and nicotine which can put lives at risk. Rat and mouse droppings, along with other dead insects, have also been discovered in fake goods.

Liverpool's Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Councillor Abdul Qadir:- "No cigarettes are good for you, but counterfeit cigarettes can contain even higher levels of cancer causing toxins so we are doing as much as we can to ensure they aren't sold in our City. Our Alcohol and Tobacco Unit is dedicated to targeting this type of illicit activity and it's great to see sniffer dogs like Pippa being brought in as part of the team to help us protect the public. The sale of fake and cheap tobacco undermines our ambitions to improve the health of residents in areas of Liverpool where health inequalities are of significant concern, particularly in relation to tobacco related illnesses. Premises that continue to supply these products will be targeted, and if they're caught out, this could result in significant prosecutions."

Staff and management at the 4 premises will now be subject to a criminal investigation. Anyone aware of illegal trading in the City can report it online at:-  Liverpool.Gov.UK.