Pharmacists swamped with patients who don't have GP access

Pharmacists are being swamped with patients who can't get doctors appointments or are faced with massive wait times. The workload is unsustainable, according to their professional body. A work place survey in September showed an 80 percent increase in requests from community pharmacy patients who couldn't get access to a GP. There's been a 53 percent increase in requests for advice for minor conditions and a 43 percent increase in people wanting help with more serious conditions. The Pharmaceutical Society said funding is not keeping pace with demand, president Michael Hammond spoke to Lisa Owen.