When To Use A Pharmacy
Pharmacists can offer advice and over-the-counter medication to help with a range of common conditions, such as coughs, colds and the flu, as well as day to day issues, such as aches, pains and skin rashes.
You don’t need to make an appointment to see a pharmacist and they will let you know if you need to see a doctor.
Here are four ways your pharmacist can help you.
1. Support with minor ailments
Pharmacists can offer advice and over-the-counter medication to help with a range of common conditions and minor injuries. You can see them for help with typical Winter ailments such as coughs, colds and the flu, as well as day to day issues, such as aches, pains, skin rashes and cystitis. Many pharmacists can also help with access to the morning after pill, pregnancy tests, and needle exchange services.
You don’t need to make an appointment to see a pharmacist and they will let you know if you need to see a doctor.
2. Help with your medication
If you have a question about medicine you’ve been prescribed or that you’ve bought over the counter, speak to your pharmacist. They are experts in how to use medicines safely.
People starting a new medicine to treat a long-term condition may be able to seek extra help from their local pharmacist through the New Medicine Service (NMS). This free scheme offers support over several weeks when you try a medicine for the first time. The NMS is only available for those taking certain medicines. Visit NHS Choices for more information.
If you’re taking lots of different medicines, you may be able to have a Medicines Use Review (MUR) with your pharmacist. This will help you work out when you should be taking your medication and discuss any questions or side effects. An MUR is a free service conducted in a private consultation room in the pharmacy and a written record will be given to you and your GP.
3. Repeat prescriptions
Save yourself a trip to your GP by asking your pharmacist to manage your repeat prescriptions for you. If you take medication on a regular basis and your condition is stable, your GP may be able to offer a long-term repeat prescription so that your pharmacist can supply your medicine at regular intervals. In the event that you experience problems with your medicine, tell your pharmacist and they can consult your GP.
Speak to your doctor to find out what is possible for your medication.
4. Help to live a healthy life
As well as helping you tackle ailments when they happen, pharmacists can also help you to have a healthy lifestyle. Rather than visiting your GP, go to your local pharmacy for advice on how to keep your family well. You can talk to them about how to eat healthily, lose weight, and the types of exercise you could be doing.
Pharmacists can also help you to stop smoking. They offer nicotine replacements, such as gum, patches or other medicines, as well as regular check-ins to help you stay motivated.
When urgent treatment centres can help instead of A&E
Urgent treatment centres provide medical help when it’s not a life-threatening emergency. They can diagnose and deal with many of the common problems people go to A&E for.
Other types of urgent care services are called minor injuries units or walk-in centres. They offer some, but not all, of the same help as urgent treatment centres.
Urgent treatment centres are usually staffed by nurses. If you need one, you can often get tests like an ECG (electrocardiogram), blood tests or an X-ray.
They can help with things like:
- sprains and strains
- suspected broken bones
- injuries, cuts and bruises
- stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea
- skin infections and rashes
- high temperature in children and adults
- mental health concerns
If you need a prescription one can be organised for you. Emergency contraception is also available.
Minor injuries units and walk-in centres
These services can help with some of the same problems as urgent treatment centres, but they do not all have the same facilities.
NHS 111 online can direct you to the right urgent care
NHS 111 online can help if you think you need urgent care. If an urgent care service is not right for your problem you will be offered alternative services.
Urgent treatment centres, minor injuries units and walk-in centres are all types of urgent care service. They are separate from A&E, although some might be located in the same hospital building.