Patients getting care quicker and closer to home thanks to community pharmacies

Patients across our region are benefitting from new ways of working in community pharmacies, meaning many people receive care quicker and closer to home.

Innovative schemes including the Community Pharmacy Consultation Service (CPCS) are helping people to get expert advice and treatment for minor conditions quickly.

Highlighting the beginning of Ask Your Pharmacist Week (October 30 - November 6), Karen O’Brien MBE, Regional Chief Pharmacist for NHS England North West, revealed 240,000 patients across the North West have already benefited from the scheme, which enables GP practices and the NHS 111 service to refer patients to pharmacists for advice and treatment on a range of minor conditions.

It is just one of an increasingly broad range of services offered by community pharmacies, including covid and flu vaccinations, blood pressure checks, stop smoking help and support with newly prescribed medicines.

Karen said: “Community pharmacies are part of the NHS family and pharmacists train for five years to be subject matter experts on the use of medicines to treat disease and diagnosing common illnesses.

“Importantly, they know how to spot the signs of serious illness and will refer people to a doctor or other suitable health care professional for a check-up or for treatment if necessary.

“Pharmacies offer a wide range of services and can help patients get the advice and treatment they need quickly and close to home.

"With a busy winter ahead, we would encourage people to think about their pharmacist first when they have a minor health concern.”

With no appointment needed, community pharmacies are often open during evenings and at weekends when other health service may be closed and are easy to get to with many in rural areas, towns and supermarkets.

Dr Paula Cowan, GP and Medical Director for Primary Care, NHS England North West, said: “Many of our population underestimate the great benefit and value that the experience and expertise of our community pharmacists and team offer.

"We can refer patients with minor ailments and certain conditions to community pharmacists and they will be seen and treated.

“The advice that our community pharmacists can give about managing certain ailments with over-the-counter medications mean that you can be treated in a much quicker way and the condition addressed.

"Of course you can also walk into your pharmacist and be advised and given treatments for a variety of different conditions.”

The Community Pharmacy Consultation Service aims to improve access to services and provide more convenient treatment closer to patients’ homes.

Patients who have been referred by their GP practice are given an appointment at their local community pharmacy and see the pharmacist in a private consultation room for advice and treatment.

Patients who have already benefited from the service include Garry Owen (pictured above), who was referred by his GP practice to a community pharmacist for advice about a swelling on his finger.

Garry said: “I thought it best to see the doctor first and came into make an appointment.

"I spoke to the receptionist, who was very helpful and said I didn’t really need to see the doctor, I’d be better going to the pharmacy next door, which can deal with minor ailments.

“The pharmacist had a look at it and knew what it was.

"She suggested trying some ointment for about a week and if I had any further problem with it to come back.

"I thought it was a really good service to be able to go straight away rather than waiting for an appointment with the GP.”

To find a pharmacy near you, search using your town, city or postcode on the NHS website here

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