During national Ask Your Pharmacist Week, people living in South Yorkshire are being reminded that they can ask their pharmacist for more than just medicine.
Ask Your Pharmacist Week is an annual initiative organised by the National Pharmacy Association, which aims to raise awareness of the full range of services on offer in pharmacies.
As qualified healthcare professionals, local pharmacies can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains as well as providing free and confidential health and wellbeing advice.
With no appointment needed, local pharmacy teams offer a fast and convenient service and if needed, you can speak to them in the privacy of a consultation room.
NHS Community Pharmacy teams also work alongside other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, NHS111 and hospitals to provide the best possible care to the public as part of the wider healthcare system. If symptoms indicate that something may be more serious, they will signpost to other NHS services, such as a GP or A&E for the best help and treatment.
Dr David Crichton, Chief Medical Officer from South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board said “Across South Yorkshire there are lots of good local pharmacies, with many open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment to speak to someone and can be offered over the counter medicine to help with any issues straight away”.
“As we move into winter, colds and tummy bugs often increase in circulation and it’s important to recognise feeling unwell to be able to get help for minor ailments from a pharmacy. As a GP I find that people sometimes forget that they can get health advice and treatment from pharmacies”.
South Yorkshire residents can also visit their local pharmacy for winter vaccinations, to discuss taking new medicines and to receive advice on changes to prescribed medication.
To find a pharmacy that’s convenient, visit the NHS website via: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy. Just add a postcode and the address of the nearest pharmacies, along with their opening times, will be listed.
