On Monday 4th February, NHS England is launching a new campaign to raise awareness that community pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals, who can offer clinical advice and over the counter medicines to effectively and safely manage a range of minor health concerns, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy troubles, aches and pains and many more.
As part of the ‘Help Us, Help You’ initiative, the campaign will highlight that local pharmacy teams offer a fast and convenient clinical service for minor health concerns with no appointment needed and use of a private consultation room should it be required.
And if symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, pharmacists have the right clinical training to ensure people get the help they need immediately and can refer patients to a GP or A&E where necessary.
Community pharmacies in England provide a service to around 1.2 million people every day.1 The campaign launch follows the publication of the NHS Long Term Plan which called for greater use of community pharmacists’ skills. Every pharmacist trains for five years in the use of medicines before they qualify and they are also trained in managing minor illnesses and providing health and wellbeing advice.
Don’t wait for minor health concerns to get worse – speak to your local pharmacy team to get advice right there and then.
Help us, help you, before it gets worse. Visit nhs.uk/pharmacyadvice for more information.