Patients suffering from any of seven common conditions will no longer need to see a GP to get treatment under plans by Rishi Sunak to free up millions of family doctor appointments.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister will announce that up to seven million patients a year suffering from conditions such as sore throat, earache and shingles will be able to get prescriptions directly from pharmacies without a GP appointment.

The move to reduce GP waiting lists and end the “8am scramble” for appointments is part of a relaunch by Mr Sunak to revive Tory fortunes following the party’s heavy losses at the local elections.

The Prime Minister has faced a backlash over the loss of more than 1,000 council seats with Tory MPs and defeated councillors blaming problems with the NHS, the failure to deliver the benefits of Brexit or offer tax cuts and fears of uncontrolled housebuilding.

On a visit to meet GPs on Tuesday, Mr Sunak, whose mother was a pharmacist, is expected to hail the plan as evidence that he is “getting on with” delivering his five priorities with reform of primary care a key part of his pledge to reduce NHS waiting lists.

He will claim the switch from GPs to pharmacies will free up 15 million appointments within two years as the pharmacy initiative is allied to a £240 million package to train receptionists to refer patients to chemists if appropriate and upgrade phone systems so no one gets an engaged tone when they ring their local surgery.

“I know how frustrating it is to be stuck on hold to your GP practice when you or a family member desperately need an appointment for a common illness. We will end the 8am rush and expand the services offered by pharmacies, meaning patients can get their medication quickly and easily,” Mr Sunak will say.

“This will relieve pressure on our hard-working GPs by freeing up 15 million appointments, and end the all-too stressful wait on the end of the phone for patients.”

Surveys show one in seven patients did not get a GP appointment the last time they tried to book. One in three reported difficulties contacting their practice, with patients often stuck in long queues on jammed telephone lines.