There was disappointment last night, as Haringey’s Labour Council failed to back a plan by the Lib Dems to introduce an innovative new pilot scheme to help relieve pressure on local GP surgeries. The move came at Haringey’s full council meeting last night.

The Lib Dem plan was based on the highly promising Croydon Pharmacy scheme, and could have been of huge benefit to the area’s health services, says Lib Dem Leader Lynne Featherstone, who put forward the idea.

The scheme has relieved pressure on GP surgery time in Croydon. People who cannot afford to buy over-the-counter remedies often go to their doctor so that they can get a prescription for such medicines in order to avoid charges. The Croydon approach uses a voucher scheme to redirect people to local pharmacies to receive their medicines for free. GP time is thus freed up for treating other patients.

Lynne Featherstone comments: “I am very disappointed. This is a good idea that was put forward in good faith, but Labour decided they could not be seen to support our motion. Haringey would be a great place to trial this scheme, particularly in the east, as we believe that the skills of local pharmacists are underutilised by the local health service.

Councillor Wayne Hoban, Lib Dem health spokesman, who also spoke in favour of the plan, adds: “It was an all too predictable response. I had hoped Labour would cooperate, but as usual, they would not take up the challenge.”