Campaign to make pharmacy first for minor ailments
A NEW campaign has launched to enable people who receive free prescriptions to go straight to their pharmacy for treatment for minor ailments.
Think Pharmacy First started on May 1 and aims to give patients who receive free prescriptions due to low income greater choice and faster access to treatment for minor conditions.
A special event is being held to launch the campaign with local pharmacists and patients from the North of Tyne area who have accessed the new scheme.
The takes place at NHS North of Tyne headquarters in Bevan House, Great Park, Newcastle, on Wednesday, May 6 between 6.30pm and 7.30pm and refreshments will be served.
In the past patients with minor ailments who are entitled to free prescriptions have made an appointment to see their GP for a prescription and then visited their community pharmacy to pick it up.
Think Pharmacy First offers patients who qualify the choice of going straight to their pharmacist – without an appointment – for a consultation where they will be given advice and free over the counter medicine, where appropriate, for minor ailments. They will be referred to a GP where necessary.
The campaign has been launched by NHS North of Tyne, working on behalf of Newcastle Primary Care Trust (PCT), North Tyneside PCT and Northumberland Care Trust and the majority of community pharmacies in the area are participating.
Ann Gunning, community pharmacy contracts manager at NHS North of Tyne, said: "We are delighted to be launching this new campaign with our NHS colleagues including pharmacists and GPs to help those patients who qualify for free prescriptions to have greater choice and better access to treatment for minor ailments.
"Think Pharmacy First is using the skills and knowledge of pharmacists to provide the right treatment for patients at the right time, in a place which is convenient to them."
Pharmacist Hayley McDonald of Davison Chemist in Burradon, which is contracted by North Tyneside PCT to provide pharmacy services to the local population, said: "Think Pharmacy First is great for patients as it gives easier access to treatment for minor ailments without having to make an appointment to see their GP.
"Pharmacists are qualified medical professionals and we can give advice about common symptoms, medicines and healthy living. The scheme is making the best use of our expertise to help patients."
Think Pharmacy First is available to adults who are entitled to free prescriptions on the grounds of low income and their children.
People over 60 are also entitled to use the scheme. To get free treatment you will need to sign the prescription and show proof that you do not have to pay.
Proof could be your HC2 certificate, or income support.
Among the minor ailments covered by the scheme are coughs, colds, sore throats, headaches, hay fever, heartburn or indigestion, stomach upsets, head lice and eczema.
Beverley Amers, 49, of Alanville, Camperdown, is a full-time carer and is entitled to free prescriptions.
She has accessed the Pharmacy First scheme at her local Davison Chemist in Burradon for medication for herself and her 12-year-old son DJ who attends Seaton Burn School.
She said: "I think the scheme is absolutely fantastic – it has been good for us.
"I suffer with hay fever and DJ has mild eczema and we have both used the scheme for medication.
"The pharmacy is just around the corner so it is easy to pop in.
"It is much more convenient than having to make an appointment with our GP.
"Our pharmacist is nice to talk to as well which makes it easier. She is very approachable.
"I think it is great as patients have more choice and flexibility to get the medicine they need."
Local mother Lisa Hedley, 32, of Camperdown, Newcastle, is entitled to free prescriptions and accessed the scheme at Davison Chemist in Burradon, for medication for her three children who are all aged under ten.
She said: "I think this is a fantastic idea.
"Sometimes you can't get to your doctor straight away so to be able to go straight to your community pharmacy is great, it will save a lot of time.
"I used the scheme when my children had head lice.
"I was able to go straight to my local pharmacy and after a short consultation I was given treatment to use on for my kids."
Bill boards and bus stop posters are detailing the campaign and many participating pharmacies are displaying bright yellow posters and window stickers urging you to Think Pharmacy First.
For more information go to any pharmacy that shows a Think Pharmacy First window sticker.
You can also get a list of these pharmacies from.northoftyne.nhs.uk
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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