The NHS in Liverpool is encouraging people to think of their local pharmacy as the first place to go for advice and treatment for minor health concerns this winter, during Ask Your Pharmacist Week (31 October – 7 November 2022).

This national awareness campaign aims to highlight how people often go to their GP or a local hospital for things that easily could be sorted out more quickly and easily by visiting their local pharmacy instead.

Pharmacists are highly trained health experts who can provide patients with a wide range of advice on the best ways to treat many common health conditions like coughs, colds, sore throats, upset stomachs, and general aches and pains – no appointment needed.

As part of Ask Your Pharmacy Week, the local NHS is also keen to remind patients that they can now access certain prescription-only drugs direct from a local community pharmacy under Pharmacy First too.

Pharmacy First is a new NHS scheme available across all community pharmacies in Liverpool, which enables them to offer a one-stop-shop for prescribing and issuing treatment for certain conditions, without patients needing to see or contact a GP first.

Some of the main conditions currently covered under Pharmacy First include treatment for sore throats, urinary infections, eye infections, minor skin conditions, and oral thrush in babies.

This is in addition to a wide range of conditions that can be treated under the existing Care at the Chemist scheme which will continued to be offered as a cost-effective way to access non-prescription medications and treatments too.

Treatment under Pharmacy First is fast, convenient, and any medication prescribed will be free for people who don’t normally pay for their prescriptions, or charged at the usual NHS prescription rate for those who do.

While most people are suitable for treatment under the scheme, if a patient has already received treatment with antibiotics for the same condition recently or has any symptoms of concern, they may be advised to seek a GP appointment so that they can investigate further.

You can find out more about the Pharmacy First scheme by watching this short film clip produced with Derryn Cottrill, a pharmacist from Euro Chemist, Berry Street in Liverpool City Centre.

Don’t forget that pharmacies are now open from early until late, and over weekends too – making them a great first choice for fast and convenient help and advice on lots of common winter health issues, when other services may be closed.

For more information on Pharmacy First, or to start using the service now – please ask a member of your local pharmacy team.