The NHS in Liverpool is encouraging people to use their local pharmacy as the first place to go for advice on minor health concerns.
This is part of the ‘think pharmacy first’ message behind this year’s national Ask Your Pharmacist Week, taking place between 11 and 18 November 2019.
People often go to their GP or even a hospital for things that could be sorted out sooner and more conveniently at their local pharmacy.
Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals who can offer you clinical advice and over the counter medicines and treatments for a range of minor health concerns, such as coughs, colds or flu-like symptoms, stomach aches, ear aches, sickness and diarrhoea, rashes, allergies, aches and pains.
If symptoms suggest that it’s something more serious, pharmacists have the right clinical training to make sure you get the help you need immediately by referring you to a GP or A&E where necessary.
Your local pharmacy is also able to offer free health checks, stop smoking support, blood pressure testing, advice on sexual health, and can consult with you in a private consultation room with no need for an appointment.
So remember to consider asking your pharmacist if you need:
To find your nearest pharmacy, visit: https://beta.nhs.uk/find-a-pharmacy/
