Local pharmacists providing vital care, avoiding need for GP and A&E

Rochdale pharmacists providing vital care, avoiding need for GP and A&E

Local people are being encouraged to take advantage of the full range of healthcare and advice available in their local pharmacy, rather than heading straight to their GP or hospital emergency department.

Pharmacies across the borough now provide a huge range of services including blood pressure checks, chlamydia screening, treatment of minor ailments and illnesses, and flu vaccinations.

There’s no need to book an appointment and, with GPs and hospital services under ever increasing strain, pharmacies are the ideal first port of call for healthcare support and advice. Many are also open extended hours seven days a week.

Pharmacist Mohammed Anwar, Rochdale Locality Lead for Greater Manchester Local Pharmaceutical Committee, said: “People often don’t realise the range of healthcare and advice that their local pharmacy can provide including treatment for minor ailments, taking the strain off GPs and hospitals.

“You don’t need an appointment and pharmacy staff are highly-trained experts who are very happy to help with any health-related queries or concerns.”

On top of traditional services like dispensing medicines and over-the-counter remedies, most pharmacies provide a vast array of additional health expertise and care. For example, they can check people’s blood pressure, advise them how to use inhalers correctly, and review their medication and then liaise with their GP.

Many provide urgent care for minor ailments such as fever, conjunctivitis, stomach complaints, thrush and headlice, avoiding the need for people to see their GP.

Pharmacies across Greater Manchester are also providing specialist support to help people live healthier lifestyles.

The NHS is encouraging people to use pharmacy as their first port of call for advice and care on minor ailments and general health queries.

Adam Irvine, Chief Executive of Greater Manchester Local Pharmaceutical Committee, said: “Pharmacies are a fantastic, yet under-utilised, source of expert healthcare and advice. They’re at the heart of every community, staffed by qualified professionals and you don’t need an appointment, making us the most accessible form of healthcare. Ask Your Pharmacist Week highlights this availability of pharmacies to provide expert healthcare provision and advice.

“With GPs and hospitals under increasing strain, pharmacies are more needed than ever so people can access the care they need whenever they need it. Community pharmacies are a vital part of the vision for primary care across Greater Manchester.”

• National Ask Your Pharmacist Week runs from 7-14 November 2016.