This winter, NHS England and NHS Improvement launched their “Help Us, Help You – Get It Seen To” campaign, which aims to raise awareness of services offered by community pharmacists.
As qualified healthcare professionals, they can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines to effectively and safely manage a range of minor illnesses.
If symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, they have the right clinical training to ensure people get the help they need.
There’s no need to make an appointment to see them — plus they can provide confidential consultation rooms, should you need one.
Your pharmacist can help you with:
- A range of minor illnesses, like:
- Coughs
- Colds
- Itchy eyes
- Earaches
- Sore throats
- Tummy troubles
- Teething
- Aches and pains
- Prescription queries
- Queries on how to take medication
- Vaccinations, such as the flu vaccine
- Some pharmacies may even provide stop smoking services and weight loss programmes
If symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, pharmacists can refer patients to a GP or A&E where necessary.
Visit the NHS website for more information.
Did you know?
Nine out of 10 people live less than a 20-minute walk away from their local pharmacy. Many of these offer extended opening hours in the evenings and at the weekends
Every pharmacist trains for five years in the use of medicines before they qualify. They are also trained in managing minor illnesses and providing health and wellbeing advice.
For more health advice from “The People’s Friend”, click here.
Yvonne McKenzie I work on the Features team and admit to being nosy, so I love looking after the Between Friends letters and finding out all about our lovely readers. I also look after our health copy and enjoy writing about inspiring people that help make the articles in the magazine so interesting.
