To save you time waiting to see a doctor, popping into your local pharmacy could help
According to NHS data, more than five million patients have already received help from high-street pharmacies for minor illnesses without needing to book a GP appointment. Since October, pharmacies have provided women with the morning-after pill free of charge for the first time, further expanding the services available.
But what other health concerns can pharmacists help you with? With NHS waiting times for doctor appointments remaining high across the UK, the experts at Landys Chemist have compiled a list of services that pharmacists and chemists can offer to support patients with their everyday health needs, reducing the need for time and resources.
If you have a minor illness, such as a cough, cold, or aches, it’s best to consult a pharmacist first. They can provide you with clinical advice and help you find over-the-counter or prescription treatments for conditions such as UTIs or shingles.
A pharmacist can also help with repeat prescriptions and provide other health services, such as checking your blood pressure. They will let you know if you need to visit a doctor for more serious problems.
Rhysa Phommachanh, Health and Personal Care Specialist, says: “Pharmacists are highly trained professionals and can offer expert clinical advice and over-the-counter treatments for minor illnesses and injuries. If symptoms suggest something more serious, they can also guide you on when to seek further help from a GP or another healthcare professional.”
Twelve pharmacy health services
Pharmacies can give treatment advice for a range of common conditions and minor injuries, such as:
- Common Cold and Flu Symptoms: cough, congestion, sore throat, runny nose, fever.
- Allergies: hay fever (seasonal allergies), allergic reactions (mild).
- Minor Aches and Pains: headache, muscle aches, joint pain.
- Digestive Issues: indigestion, heartburn, diarrhoea, constipation.
- Skin Conditions: minor rashes, insect bites, sunburn.
- Minor Infections: urinary tract infections (for women) and minor skin infections.
- Eye Conditions: red or irritated eyes, minor eye infections.
- Ear Problems: earache, wax buildup.
- Minor Injuries: minor cuts and abrasions, bruises, sprains, and strains.
- Oral Health: mouth ulcers, cold sores, and gingivitis.
- Health checks and vaccinations: blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar testing, flu jabs, travel vaccines.
- Contraception and sexual health: morning-after pill (available free from provisional start date next month), advice on contraception.
When should you see a GP?
Rhysa adds: “While pharmacists are valuable resources for advice on over-the-counter medications and minor illnesses, it’s crucial to consult a doctor, call 111, or visit A&E in an emergency if your symptoms are severe or if you have any doubts.
“While pharmacists can’t diagnose complex conditions, turning to them for minor issues helps ease the pressure on GPs, allowing doctors to focus on patients with more urgent needs.”
What about November’s flu crisis?
Earlier this month the NHS issued a ‘flu jab SOS’, with England’s top nurse warning people to get protected now, with only weeks to go before the worst of the flu season typically bites. Eligible adults are being urged to come forward now, so they are fully protected ahead of the usual flu season peak in the winter months.
In response, the health service is making 2.4 million vaccination slots available next week – enough to vaccinate the whole of Greater Manchester or Botswana. The NHS is calling on eligible adults to get their jab as soon as possible to stamp out the early wave of flu hitting the NHS more than a month earlier this year, with cases triple the same time last year.
It follows the biggest flu season in Australia’s history – often an accurate predictor of what is around the corner for people in England. The latest weekly data shows NHS teams across the country have now delivered more than 13 million flu vaccines since the rollout kicked off (13,299,775).
