We all know that pharmacists (also known as chemists) dispense medicines. But they do a lot more than that and your local pharmacy can offer several health services that many of us aren’t aware of.
These services could save you a trip to your GP, or help you to make healthy lifestyle changes.
Your local pharmacy is a convenient way to get advice as you don’t need an appointment, you can just pop in. Many are also open late and at weekends, which is useful if you become ill at night.
Your local pharmacy is the best option for:
- Face-to-face advice and information
- Common Winter/Summer health complaints
- Advice and support for ongoing health complaints
- Healthy Living services
Your local pharmacy
To find your local pharmacy visit www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories
For details of pharmacy opening times for the Bank Holiday of 26th August please use the link below:
- August Pharmacy Rota 2013
For details of pharmacies in Stockport that open on Sunday click here.
To find your 3 nearest pharmacies text ‘pharmacy’ to 64746. Texts are free and you will receive 3 return messages containing the pharmacy details.
Your medicines
Pharmacists are trained experts in the use of medicines. They can give advice on the safe use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
Repeat dispensing
If you’re regularly prescribed medicines, your pharmacist can offer repeat dispensing services.
You get a prescription from your GP for up to a year, then you can visit your pharmacy every month for a month’s supply of your medication. No more trips to the GP just to get another prescription. Ask your GP about the service.
Reviewing your medicines
If you regularly collect medicines from your pharmacy, the pharmacist may ask you how you’ve been getting on with the medicine. If you’re having problems, they can offer advice or advise you to see your GP if necessary.
Many pharmacies now offer a special discussion of your medicines. This is called the Medicines Use Review (MUR).
You can ask for an MUR, or your pharmacist might recommend one. They take place in a private consultation room in the pharmacy, and you don’t have to pay. Afterwards, you’ll receive a written record of the consultation. A copy of it will be sent to your GP.
Collecting old medicines
If your medicine is out of date, unwanted, or some of it is left over, take it to your pharmacy to be disposed of safely.
Never throw away medicine yourself, burn it or flush it down the toilet, as this can harm the environment.
When you need to be seen
Pharmacies can help with a range of common conditions, such as aches and pains, cold and flu.
If you have one of these common conditions, your pharmacist can give advice and medicines, if appropriate. Your pharmacist can also tell you if you need to see a GP.
Here are a few other ways some local pharmacies can help:
- Emergency contraception: if you need the ‘morning-after pill’. This can work for up to 72 hours after sex, but the sooner you take it the more likely it will work. Many pharmacies sell this over the counter after a consultation with the pharmacist. Some may provide it on the NHS.
- Needle and syringe exchange services.
- Pregnancy tests. Most pharmacies provide pregnancy test kits, and a few have a private area where you can use the kit.
Minor ailment scheme
Many surgeries within Stockport are taking part in a local minor ailment scheme, where for certain conditions you do not need to see a GP but can be referred by use of a code to your local pharmacy for a consultation with the pharmacist.
The ailments included in the scheme are:
- Acne
- Athlete’s foot
- Cold
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Hay fever
- Head lice
- Thrush
- Thread worm
- Eye infections
You will be provided with medication free of charge if you qualify for free prescriptions.
Look out for posters and leaflets in your surgery which explain which conditions are involved and how to access the scheme, OR phone the surgery and ask the receptionist if you can be referred. They may ask you questions to ensure your symptoms do not fall outside the scheme in which case you can make an appointment to see the GP.
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