The shadow minister for primary care and public health Preet Kaur Gill visited a community pharmacy in the West Midlands and was given a taste of what it offers its patients.

She was given the low-down on Eason’s Pharmacy in Tamworth by its third-generation owner Kieran Eason (right), who showed her his NHS services, including the new medicines service and blood pressure monitoring, as well as his two consultation rooms and dispensary.

He also talked Gill, who was at the pharmacy with the National Pharmacy Association’s head of communications Stephen Fishwick (left), through his independent prescribing qualification and explained how it has helped improve the care he provides his patients.

“It’s great that Preet came to hear first-hand about the challenges we face and the enormous potential of community pharmacies across the country,” Eason said.

“As an independent prescriber, I am skilled to provide even more convenient care, but current low levels of funding severely limit our contribution.”

In a video message recorded during her visit, Gill said: “It’s brilliant to be here with the National Pharmacy Association at Eason’s Pharmacy. I want to see pharmacy being part of the primary care offer, building on the excellence and ability of pharmacists to reach their license and do so much more for communities, because they are rooted in the heart of their communities.”

It was not the first time a Labour MP and the NPA met in a community pharmacy. In January, NPA chief executive Mark Lyonette met shadow health secretary Wes Streeting at Jaysons Pharmacy in Derbyshire.