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Every year, millions of us visit our GP with minor health problems that can be easily resolved without a doctor's appointment.

It is estimated that every year, 50 million visits to the GP are made for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, mild eczema, and athlete's foot. By visiting your pharmacy instead, you could save yourself time and trouble.

 

Self-care

Keeping a well stocked medicine cabinet at home can help you treat many minor ailments. Colds, coughs, indigestion and many other minor complaints can all be treated at home with medicines that are available over the counter. Your pharmacist can advise on what you might find useful to keep in your medicine cabinet.

 

Your Local Pharmacist

Local community pharmacists working in Pharmacies offer professional, free health advice at any time – you don’t need an appointment. From coughs and colds to aches and pains, they can give you expert help on everyday illnesses. They can answer questions about prescribed and over-the-counter medicines and it is possible to purchase many medicines from the chemist without a prescription.

 

Community Pharmacy Consultation Scheme

This is a new service which you will be referred to if your condition can be best helped by a pharmacist rather than being booked for a GP appointment. When you contact the practice for an appointment, we will ask what you wish to have an appointment for and if suitable, refer you to a local community pharmacy for a same day private consultation with a pharmacist.

When we refer you to the Community Pharmacy Consultation Scheme for an appointment, we will share your personal details with the pharmacist and details of your minor illness that you need to be seen about. The pharmacist will contact you to arrange your consultation on the same day, or at a time that suits you.

You may be seen in person in a private consulting room, if the pharmacist thinks it appropriate, or your consultation may be carried out over the phone or via video. You will be asked about your medical history and symptoms and current medication, in the same way the GP would ask you about them.

Usually, the pharmacist will provide you with advice and any over the counter product where needed, if you choose. They will also send details of your consultation back to us for our records.

You can be seen by the Community Pharmacy Consultation Scheme for the following conditions:

  • Acute sore throat
  • Coughs, colds and nasal congestion
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Mild dry skin
  • Mild irritant dermatitis
  • Mild to moderate hay fever
  • Dandruff Diarrhoea (adults)
  • Dry eyes / sore tired eyes
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Nappy rash
  • Oral thrush
  • Infant colic
  • Infrequent constipation
  • nfrequent cold sores of the lip
  • Teething / mild toothache
  • Threadworms
  • Travel sickness
  • Insect bites and stings
  • Mild acne
  • Minor burns and scalds
  • Excessive sweating
  • Haemorrhoids
  • Head lice
  • Prevention of tooth decay
  • Ringworm / athletes foot
  • Sunburn
  • Cradle cap
  • Earwax
  • Infrequent migraine
  • Warts and verrucae
  • Mild cystitis
  • Indigestion and heartburn
  • Sun protection
  • Minor pain, discomfort and fever (e.g. aches and sprains, headache, period pain, back pain)
 

NHS Walk-In Centres

NHS Walk-In Centres offer convenient access to a range of NHS services. You can receive treatment for many ailments including:

  • infection and rashes,
  • fractures and lacerations,
  • emergency contraception and advice,
  • stomach upsets,
  • cuts and bruises, or
  • burns and strains.

NHS Walk In Centres treat around 3 million patients a year and have proved to be a successful complementary service to traditional GP and A&E services. Some centres offer

access to doctors as well as nurses. However, they are not designed for treating long-term conditions or immediately life-threatening problems.

 

Accident & Emergency (A&E)

Major A&E departments assess and treat patients who have serious injuries or illnesses. Generally, you should visit A&E or call 999 for emergencies, such as:

  • loss of consciousness,
  • pain that is not relieved by simple analgesia,
  • acute confused state,
  • persistent, severe chest pain, or
  • breathing difficulties.

If you're injured or seriously ill, you should go, or be taken, to A&E. If an ambulance is needed you can call 999, the emergency phone number in the UK. You can also dial 112, which is the equivalent for the European Union.

Major A&E departments offer access 365 days a year and usually open 24 hours a day. Be aware that not all hospitals have an A&E department.