Think Pharmacy First: don’t let a health concern get worse

Your local pharmacist offers an easy and convenient way to get clinical advice on minor health concerns, and now community pharmacies can offer treatment for seven common conditions without patients needing to see a GP, as part of a major transformation in the way the NHS delivers care.

Highly trained professionals at almost 150 pharmacies in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes can now assess and treat patients for earache, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat, urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women aged 16-64 – without the need for a GP appointment or prescription.

Your community pharmacy team is made up of highly skilled, qualified health professionals who have the right clinical training to give you the advice you need.  You don’t need an appointment and private consultation rooms are available.  Pharmacy teams can also signpost you to other relevant local services where necessary.

Pharmacists have always helped patients, families and carers in their communities stay healthy and are well placed to offer treatment for health conditions.  By expanding the services community pharmacies offer, the NHS is aiming to free up GP appointments and give people more choice in how and where they access care.

Dr Sarah Whiteman, chief medical director at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said:

“Lots of people go to A&E with minor injuries or illnesses which could be treated more quickly and easily at home, and the new Pharmacy First scheme means you could get access to prescription-only medicines without seeing your doctor.  Your local pharmacy offers professional advice, without an appointment, on the high street.

“Don’t forget that visiting 111 Online at 111.nhs.uk can save you time by directing you to the right service straight away, while also making sure that you don’t take up an appointment which somebody else needs more than you.  By using services carefully, you’ll be helping NHS staff to make the best use of their time and resources, while reducing pressure on the busiest parts of the local health system.”

Fiona Garnett, associate director of pharmacy and medicines optimisation at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said:

“Besides the Pharmacy First scheme, it’s a good idea to keep a few medicines at home so that you can care for yourself or someone in your household if they have a minor illness.

“Your medicines box at home might contain things such as aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen tablets which are good for headaches, colds, sore throats and painful bruises; calamine lotion to treat irritated skin; antiseptic for sores, cuts and grazes; plus items such as throat lozenges, indigestion remedies and something to treat diarrhoea or constipation.

“Generic products work just as well as brand names, and putting together a well-stocked medicines cabinet at home can cost just a few pounds.”

So don’t wait for minor health concerns to get worse – think pharmacy first and get seen by your local pharmacy team.  For more information, visit nhs.uk/thinkpharmacyfirst.