There’s no need to book a doctors appointment for certain ailments
According to NHS figures, over five million patients have already accessed support from high-street chemists for minor ailments without requiring a GP booking. Since October, pharmacies have dispensed the morning-after pill to women at no cost for the first time, broadening the range of available services – and this isn’t the only health issue chemists can assist you with.
With NHS waiting times for doctor’s appointments continuing to stretch across the UK, specialists at Landys Chemist have put together a comprehensive guide to services that pharmacists and chemists can deliver to help patients with their daily health requirements, cutting down on time and resources needed.
If you’re dealing with a minor ailment, such as a cough, cold, or aches, it’s advisable to speak with a chemist first, reports the Mirror. They can offer clinical guidance and assist you in finding over-the-counter or prescription remedies for conditions like UTIs or shingles.
A chemist can also support with repeat prescriptions and deliver additional health services, including blood pressure monitoring. They’ll advise you if you need to see a doctor for more significant issues.
Rhysa Phommachanh, Health and Personal Care Specialist, explains: “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 health services offered by pharmacies
Pharmacies can provide treatment advice for a wide 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), mild allergic reactions
- 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), 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.”
Early flu surge
Earlier this month, the NHS sent out a ‘flu jab SOS’, with England’s top nurse urging people to get vaccinated as soon as possible, with only a few weeks left before the peak of the flu season. Adults who are eligible are being encouraged to get their jabs now, in order to be fully protected ahead of the usual winter peak of the flu season.
In an effort to combat the early onset of flu, which has hit the NHS more than a month earlier this year with cases triple that of the same time last year, the health service is making 2.4 million vaccination slots available next week – enough to vaccinate the entire population of Greater Manchester or Botswana. The NHS is urging eligible adults to get their jab as soon as possible to help curb this early wave of flu.
This comes after Australia experienced its largest flu season in history – often a reliable indicator of what England can expect. The latest weekly data shows that NHS teams across the country have already delivered over 13 million flu vaccines since the rollout began (13,299,775).
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