Help us to help you, before it gets worse
• Community pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals who can offer clinical advice and over the counter medicines to effectively and safely manage a range of minor health concerns, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy troubles, aches and pains and many more
• If symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, pharmacists have the right clinical training to make sure you get the help you need immediately and can refer patients to a GP or A&E where necessary
• Every pharmacist trains for five years in the use of medicines before they qualify and is also trained in managing minor illnesses and providing health and wellbeing advice to help people stay well
• Pharmacy technicians are part of the pharmacy team and are also registered health professionals, subject to the same fitness to practice framework as pharmacists. They can assist patients with the most beneficial inhaler technique, or help patients understand the correct dose and frequency of a new medicine. They are there to help the NHS treat more people safely, conveniently and well
• Don’t wait for minor health concerns to get worse – speak to your local pharmacy team to get advice right there and then
• Community pharmacists offer a more convenient, quicker way to obtain clinical advice on minor health concerns, and can consult with patients in a private consultation room with no need for an appointment
• Most people live within easy reach of a pharmacy, there are around 11,700i locations in England and many offer extended opening hours in the evenings and at the weekends
• Pharmacists are healthcare experts who are the right people to see if you need clinical advice for a minor health concern. And if symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, they have the right clinical training to ensure people get the help they need
• By following the expert advice of community pharmacists, you can help the NHS help you stay well; prevent an illness getting worse; take the best course of action; and get well again sooner
• The campaign launch follows the publication of the NHS Long Term Plan which called for greater use of community pharmacists’ skills
• Help Us, Help You, before it gets worse. Visit nhs.uk/pharmacyadvice for more information
