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Feeling under the weather? Visit your local pharmacy – Swindon and Wiltshire

NHS England is urging people feeling under the weather this winter to visit their local pharmacy for quick, early advice.

The ‘feeling under the weather?’ campaign, launched today (31 October), is also highlighting the benefits of getting treatment for coughs and colds straight away, before they get worse. This is especially important over the winter months – when people are more likely to become ill or feel poorly.

Local pharmacists are a highly trained and trusted source of health advice and can help you if you have a bad cough, trouble breathing, a cold or sore throat. They can also help you manage your long term conditions and help you to get the best from your medicines. Many pharmacies have longer opening hours than GP practices.

Fiona Castle, Chief Officer Swindon and Wiltshire Local Pharmacy Committee said: “People don’t always realise the extent of services offered by their local pharmacy. With many pharmacies open in the evenings and at the weekends and a healthcare professional available on site to speak to without an appointment, pharmacy is an ideal first point of call for minor ailments.

“In most cases we will be able to help you with Over the Counter medicines and advice. We will advise you if you need to see your GP.

“We also support people taking medicines with long term conditions to get the most benefit from them – for example help to minimise side-effects or better understand the role of the medicines they are taking”

Going to the pharmacy early will give you access to medication and advice on minor ailments, but they can also:

  • provide the free flu jab if you are over 65 or are in any of the other high risk groups;
  • provide expert advice to manage long term conditions and let you know if you need to see your GP or make a hospital appointment;
  • Give you advice on how to care for an elderly relative or friend who has a bad cough, trouble breathing, cold or sore throat.

Dr Bruce Warner, Deputy Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for NHS England, said: “Pharmacists and their teams are well trained and well placed to be able to offer advice to people seeking help. They can provide medicines advice and support for minor ailments, advise you about how to manage a long term condition and tell you if something needs more urgent medical attention from your GP, or even your local hospital.

“You don’t need an appointment and many have consultation areas so your local pharmacy is a good place to start when you’re feeling unwell.”

“We would encourage people to seek help from their pharmacist when they first feel unwell rather than waiting until it becomes more serious.”