The scheme allows patients to visit their pharmacist for advice and treatment for certain minor illnesses, instead of having to make an appointment to see their GP on a range of minor health.

How does the service work?

When a patient with minor illness symptoms contacts their GP practice requesting an appointment the receptionist will ask them a series of questions. If their symptoms are appropriate, the GP practice can refer them for a same-day consultation with a community pharmacist. With the patient’s consent, the practice team can send an electronic referral message to the pharmacy the patient has chosen, to support safe follow-up and audit.

Patients can also refer themselves directly to a Pharmacy participating in the scheme using this link: https://www.patienttriage.co.uk/kingswood-health-centre

Following the referral, the pharmacist will contact the patient the same day by phone and either carry out the consultation by telephone or arrange for the patient to attend the pharmacy, if appropriate. Some patients may be offered a video consultation by the pharmacist.

The pharmacist will take the patient’s clinical history and ask about symptoms and any current medication. Following the consultation, the pharmacist will offer clinical advice and may sell the patient an over-the-counter product if appropriate and they agree.

Pharmacists are trained to recognise ‘red flag’ symptoms suggestive of more serious illness. After initial triage, where symptoms do suggest something more serious, the pharmacist will help the patient to arrange an urgent GP appointment using the practice’s dedicated professional number or escalate to an urgent care setting such as the emergency department, if needed.

The pharmacist will make a record of the outcome of the consultation and send it to the patient’s GP by secure digital message.

To self refer please look at the list of conditions to be treated by the Community Pharmacy Team and click below:

• Acne
• Athlete’s foot
• Back-ache,sprains and strains
• Colds/Flu/High Temperature
• Conjunctivitis
• Constipation
• Coughs
• Diarrhoea
• Dandruff
• Dry eyes
• Earache/Ear wax
• Eczema, Dry or Itchy Skin
• Haemorrhoids
• Hay fever
• Head lice
• Headache and fever
• Heartburn and indigestion/Tummy upset/Vomiting
• Insect bites and stings
• Mild eczema and Dermatitis
• Minor fungal skin infections
• Mouth ulcers or Gum swelling
• Nappy rash
• Nasal congestion
• Pain
• Prevention of fever after vaccinations
• Sore throat
• Teething
• Threadworm
• Thrush
• Warts and Verrucae’s