With winter bugs in full swing the NHS is under major pressure. It means getting to see a doctor at your local surgery can be harder than ever.
But with some conditions you can skip the queue and get treatment without ever seeing your GP. By using the Pharmacy First Service you can get prescriptions for seven common conditions by popping in to a local chemist.
According to Boots the common conditions you can get easy help for range from ear infections to sore throats. Their pharmacists, along with others taking part in the scheme, can give advice on how to treat the condition and, if necessary, prescribe medication.
They said: “You can access advice and prescription treatment for seven common conditions through the NHS Pharmacy First Service at Boots. From sore throats to UTIs, our pharmacists are on hand to assess and provide treatment, if appropriate, for certain conditions – all without an appointment.”
According to NHS England more than 10,000 pharmacies have already signed up to Pharmacy First – that’s over 95 per cent of all those in England. You can find one close to you by visiting the NHS website.
It says: “You can get treatment for these conditions by walking into the pharmacy or contacting them virtually. GP receptionists, NHS 111 and providers of emergency care will also be able to direct patients to pharmacies, that offer the service, if contacted.
“By reducing the number of patients with common conditions, needing blood pressure checks or oral contraception visiting a GP, Pharmacy First aims to free up 10 million GP appointments a year by next winter for more complex diagnosis. This will give GPs time and space to see patients with more complex conditions.
“Four in five people in England can reach a community pharmacy within a 20-minute walk and there are twice as many pharmacies in the most deprived communities, making access to care quicker and more convenient.” Boots has set out the seven conditions you can get prescriptions for through the service – here’s what they say:
Sore throat
Feeling run down? A sore throat can cause irritation and pain when swallowing, causing some common symptoms.
Sore throats are usually caused by viruses like a cold or the flu, smoking or occasionally bacteria. Other symptoms of a sore throat may include:
- a dry, scratchy throat,
- redness in the back of your mouth
- bad breath
- a mild cough
- swollen and red tonsils
- swollen glands in your neck.
The NHS Pharmacy First Service for sore throat is available for individuals aged five and over, if suitable.
Sinusitis
This is a common infection that causes the sinuses to swell. Symptoms include:
- A blocked or runny nose
- A green or yellow mucus from your nose
- Pain and tenderness around your eyes, cheeks or forehead
The NHS Pharmacy First Service for sinusitis is available for individuals aged 12 and over, if suitable.
Ear infection
Painful ears can be the sign of an infection. The NHS Pharmacy First Service is available to those aged from one to 17 years with symptoms of the problem.
According to Boots: “Ear infections are especially common in children and can affect one or both ears.” Symptoms of ear infections include:
- Burning or dull ear pain
- Pain that either comes and goes or is constant
Shingles
“Struggling with a painful rash? Shingles is an infection of a nerve and the skin around it. Some symptoms include:
- A headache
- Feeling generally unwell
- Pain, burning, tingling, numbness or itchiness of the skin
The NHS Pharmacy First Service for shingles available for individuals aged one and over, if suitable.
Impetigo
Impetigo is a contagious skin infection which usually begins as red sores or blisters, (it can be harder to see on brown or black skin). It normally appears on exposed areas of skin like your hands or around the mouth & nose.
Eventually, these sores burst, leaving crusty, golden-brown patches. These patches may get bigger, spread to other parts of the body, become itchy or mildly painful.
Pharmacists can offer advice & treatment for impetigo. This includes prescription treatment for individuals aged 1 and over where appropriate.
Infected insect bites and stings
Children and adults aged over one, except pregnant under 16, can get treatment for bites and stings if they become infected. Symptoms include:
- Redness of the skin
- Pain or tenderness
- Swelling with skin feeling hot to the touch
However they warn it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention at A&E if you:
- Have a severely weakened immune system, and have signs/symptoms of infection
- Have signs of anaphylaxis
- Have stings where there is risk of airway obstruction (e.g. in the mouth or throat) or concerns of orbital cellulitis from bite or sting around the eyes
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections
If you are a woman aged 16-64 you can get treatment for an uncomplicated Urinary tract infection (UTI). UTI causes inflammation of the bladder. Symptoms of UTIs include:
- Pain, burning or stinging when you pee
- Peeing more often and urgently than usual
- Pee that’s dark, cloudy or strong-smelling