What common conditions can people visit their community pharmacy for this winter?

People very often find themselves with a minor illness, especially during the winter months. Coughs and colds spread like wildfire at this time of year and many people will come into the pharmacy for help with these conditions. Sore throats and sinusitis are two of the common illnesses that pharmacies can now provide treatment for as part of the Pharmacy First service, and we expect to see lots of people coming in asking for this during the seasonal surge..

We can provide advice for children with minor illnesses too and children with ear infections can now have a consultation at the pharmacy, where we use an otoscope to look into the ear and provide treatment if it’s needed.

Other conditions covered by the Pharmacy First service are uncomplicated urine infections (women aged 16-64), shingles, impetigo and Infected Insect bites.

When should people consider visiting their community pharmacy rather than their GP practice or other services?

If you develop a new health problem or minor illness, then it’s always a good idea to pop into your local pharmacy and ask for advice about it. The pharmacist will advise you on how to manage the condition, may recommend something to treat it and, if it’s not something they can help with, they will let you know who the best person would be to speak to next. This could include referring on to NHS111, an urgent treatment centre, A&E, or your GP surgery.

Pharmacies are the best place to seek help for any minor illnesses. NHS111 and GP surgeries will now refer people to their local pharmacy for a Pharmacy First consultation if they need advice on dealing with these types of conditions.

What do you enjoy most about working as a pharmacist within Community Pharmacy?

I’ve always loved working in Community Pharmacy. I have worked in the same pharmacy for 27 years so have really got to know the people who use our pharmacy well. We support people from their first years of life to their last, and all the bits in between. I love the variety and the pace of work. We are so busy and there’s so much going on, but we get to help people and it’s brilliant when we get positive feedback because we’ve helped someone with a health problem. I also love the camaraderie of working with the rest of my team. We have been together for a long time, and we support each other to get through the challenging days!

Describe a recent occasion where you were really able to help a patient?

A lady came into the pharmacy with the early symptoms of a urine infection. She was due to fly to Australia imminently and as you can imagine, the thought of the long flight combined with the symptoms of a urine infection were filling her with dread. She was also worried in case her condition deteriorated whilst she was on board the plane. Her GP had referred her to the pharmacy for help. I was able to do a Pharmacy First consultation, where I spoke to her in private to assess her condition. I was then able to provide her with appropriate treatment. She was so grateful and couldn’t believe how quickly she had been able to access the help she needed.

Community Pharmacist Amanda Smith and dispenser Denise Briscoe