ALLOWING chemists to offer services currently provided by doctors will mean big benefits for patients, claims a North Yorkshire health boss.

But community leaders warn the move must not mean pharmacists are used to replace GPs.

If they agree a new contract, community pharmacists could be paid extra for tasks including issuing repeat prescriptions, carrying out health-checks and helping people quit smoking.

Maddy Ruff, a director at Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) told a meeting of the Upper Wensleydale Parish Forum this week, that the new deal would mean pharmacists' skills are fully utilised.

"Although the contract still needs to be finalised, we see this as a very positive development, which will facilitate the successful integration of pharmacies into the modern NHS.

"The contract will give the PCT the opportunity to work with community pharmacists to develop the range of services they can provide to patients. The contract will give us an opportunity to use their skills and move beyond their traditional role of just dispensing medicines."

However, district councillors at the meeting, angry at the state of out-of-hours GP cover in the Dales, expressed concern about the changes.

Councillor Yvonne Peacock said: "We had a new contract negotiated with doctors - unfortunately what came out of it was not good for the area.

"I would not like to feel pharmacists were put in place instead of doctors."

The new contract for chemists has been drawn up after two years of talks between the Department of Health and pharmacists' representatives.

Pharmacists will vote on whether to accept it later this month. It they agree, the changes will take effect next April.

The deal will mean chemists being paid by the NHS according to the range and quality of services they provided.

Other services could include issuing prescriptions for minor ailments, offering basic health advice and providing methadone to drug users.

The Government hope it will cut GP workloads and relieve patients with chronic conditions from having to repeatedly visit their surgery.