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.

Carol Trower, Chief Executive Officer at Berkshire Local Pharmaceutical Committee said: “Sometimes coughs and colds can develop into something more serious, particularly for people over 60 years of age, so getting early advice will improve your chances of getting well quickly.

“There’s no such thing as wasting your pharmacist’s time when you have a health concern. Your pharmacist wants to help and early advice is the best advice.

“You won’t need to make an appointment – many pharmacies are open from first thing in the morning until late in the evening. You can also order your repeat prescriptions there which will save you precious time. You can find your local pharmacy on the NHS choices website.”

Graham Jones, Chairman of the Thames Valley Pharmacy Local Professional Network and pharmacist at Lambourn Pharmacy, said: “Pharmacies are well placed to help the local community with their everyday health needs. Our trained pharmacists are able to give important health advice and tips, which can help people get better quickly and prevent a more serious illness.

“Pharmacists would always recommend people to see their GP if necessary and we would ask anyone feeling under the weather to seek advice early.

“The flu vaccination is available from many community pharmacies and many pharmacies can also offer important health checks. If you are unsure where your nearest pharmacy is visit the NHS Choices website to find out more.”

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

• 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.”