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Do I Need to Visit My GP or Can I Just Go to the Pharmacy?
Words Ebun Lufadeju
Have you ever struggled to get a doctor's appointment or been told that you have to wait two weeks to see your GP? A report published in 2018 showed that one in five GP appointments are actually for minor ailments, which led to a total of 57 million consultations a year and costs the NHS £2 billion a year.
People often look towards a prescription, however, people with minor conditions are being told to see their Pharmacists. Pharmacists are experts in medicines, they can help with minor ailments and can provide care whilst reducing the workload for GP’s, making it easier for people to get an appointment when they really need one. So, when should we head to your local pharmacy instead of your GP? Community Pharmacist and Founder of Health in the City, Ebun Lufadeju, answers this question.
The new normal
The lockdown is easing and many of us are being lunged back into what was previously normal. However, many GP surgeries now only offer telephone/online consultations, sending electronic prescriptions straight to the pharmacy. Considering that we have all had to adjust our lives drastically during the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be anticipated that GP surgeries will not be the same –at least for a while.
More recently, many pharmacies offer a service where they can order a prescription for you, without you even having to visit the GP surgery (Some GP surgeries also enable you to order your prescription online). So, not only do pharmacies provide dispensing of NHS and private prescriptions but also they offer a range of services that can help manage the healthcare of the public. There are a variety of medicines that do not require a prescription, so pharmacies are the first point of call for non-prescription medicines like paracetamol, ibuprofen and many more. Since 2016, regulations have allowed pharmacists (upon completing a postgraduate course) to prescribe independently. A pharmacist independent prescriber may prescribe for any condition within their clinical competence.
Pharmacists are health experts and you don’t need to make an appointment to see one. They can help to advise you about your health and wellbeing and supply some medicines to help your condition or refer you to another service if needed.
If you normally pay for a prescription you may find it's cheaper to buy it anyway, or your GP may not always give you a prescription but just tell you to talk to the pharmacist.
7 reasons to visit your Pharmacist
1. Coughs, colds and flu
The common cold and flu are viral infections, which do not require antibiotics. Symptoms include a blocked nose, sore throat, body aches, headaches, coughs, sneezing, raised temperature and pressure in the ears or face. All of these symptoms can be treated over the counter at the pharmacy. You would need to see the GP if; your symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks, you have a very high temperature, you develop chest pain, you have a long-term condition or you have a weakened immune system.
2. Allergies and skin conditions
Symptoms of an allergic reaction (including hay fever) are sneezing, itchy or sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, itch and/or swollen eyes.
The good news is that you do not need a doctor's appointment to get relief from hay fever symptoms. The first-line treatment will be antihistamines, available from the pharmacy. If itchy eyes are a predominant symptom, anti-allergy eye drops can provide great relief. Nasal sprays are available for those who suffer mainly from an itchy, stuffy or runny nose. Pharmacists can also help you to treat rashes and eczema with over the counter creams.
3. Stomach problems
Common stomach issues such as acid reflux, threadworm, indigestion, haemorrhoids, diarrhoea, bloating, constipation and period pain. Your pharmacist can also help to identify any symptoms that will require a doctor’s appointment.
4. Quitting smoking
Coronavirus is a respiratory disease and smoking can be a risk factor that can cause exacerbated symptoms. Many people have been advised to stop smoking but may have difficulty during the process of quitting. Pharmacists can offer advice and can help people start a quit smoking programme. The programme involves motivational tips and advice on finding the right nicotine replacement products that will suit each individual, such as gum, inhalers or lozenges.
5. Travel health
With lockdown easing, it is anticipated that more people will be travelling abroad eventually. Many pharmacies now offer travel clinic services, for people that plan to travel overseas, they can get travel advice from their pharmacies. You can also get malaria tablets and travel vaccinations without visiting your GP surgery.
6. Flu vaccination
The flu is a viral infection that will often get better on its own. However, it’s important to speak to your doctor if you are elderly, pregnant, have a long-term condition (e.g. asthma, COPD, diabetes) or a weakened immune system. If you fall into these categories, you may be eligible for a free flu vaccination from your pharmacy. Otherwise, you will be able to pay for a flu vaccination privately.
7. Healthy living advice
Pharmacists can offer excellent advice that can improve your health and wellbeing. Many pharmacies on the high street are now recognised as Healthy Living pharmacies. This means that they can offer lifestyle advice in regards to nutrition, weight management, keeping active, and reducing alcohol intake. Many pharmacies offer a range of services to support healthy living, such as blood pressure checks, blood sugar checks, cholesterol checks and many more. They can also offer help with delaying your period and emergency contraception.
What does the future hold?
It is expected that the future pharmacist will have a leading role in the community as the first point of contact for the general public. They are trained to advise patients and also refer when needed.
The NHS 'Long-term Plan’ sets out a vision for the NHS as a way to improve access to services. The plan is designed to encourage patients to see their pharmacist rather than their GP for certain treatments, advice on minor ailments, general health and well-being.