There is a lot in the press about how the NHS will struggle this winter. I think a quick search of Google will show the same stories every year for the past twenty years. The government has put in £500m extra to assist for the next two years. This is better than Labour plans which would have seen funding cut each year since 2010 compared to current levels.
Anyway, for the last few days I have been as rough as a ….. though the missus will no doubt say I have Manflu. I have been drinking rosehip syrup with lots of water, with some paracetamol thrown in. This got me to thinking about the alternatives to going to the doctors and A&E.
What is surprising is how much the local Chemist can help with a whole raft of problems which many people go to the doctors or the hospital for. Below are just a few things local chemists may be able to assist with. If just a few of us try this first, then if we have a more serious problem the A&E and Doctors may not have quite as big a queue this winter.
We have four local Chemists – Leaks on Front St in Fram Moor (3862193), Smiths on Carr House Drive in Newton Hall (3866837), as well as Sainsburys (3862961) and Boots (3869618) at the Arnison Centre.
You can search for all local pharmacies here:
http://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Pharmacy/LocationSearch/10
And here is advice from the NHS website:
Pharmacists and chemists also offer advice on common problems such as coughs, colds, aches and pains, as well as healthy eating and stopping smoking. They can also help you decide whether you need to see a doctor.
Pharmacists dispense your prescriptions and other medicines, offer testing and screening for common conditions and can advise on minor ailments.
The services that may be available from your local pharmacy are:
- emergency contraception
- truss fittings
- incontinence supplies
- needle exchange and supervised drug administration
- pregnancy testing
- stop smoking services
- Medicines Use Reviews (see information below)
- New Medicine Service (available from October 1 2011)
- chlamydia screening and treatment
- weight management
Minor ailments include:
- bugs and viruses
- minor injuries
- tummy troubles
- women’s health
- skin conditions
- allergies
- aches and pains
- children’s problems
http://www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/aboutnhsservices/pharmacists/pages/pharmacistsandchemists.aspx