COMMUNITY pharmacists across Devon are stepping up support for people who suffer minor and winter ailments, to make it easier and quicker to get help.

They are even able to provide some medicines that are usually only available on prescription, to save on a trip to the doctor.

The scheme, known as Pharmacy First, is designed to make healthcare more accessible than ever this winter. In turn, that should ease pressure on GPs, enabling them to spend more time with patients who have more-serious conditions.

After being tried in western Devon last year, Pharmacy First now covers nearly the whole county. Funding is due to run until next spring, when the impact will be reviewed.

The two main elements are:

1 Winter ailments

Go along to your pharmacy for advice and medication to combat coughs, colds, sore throats, fever, earache, teething, diarrhoea, blocked nose, headache and similar conditions. Over-the-counter medicines can be dispensed free of charge for those who are exempt from prescription payments.

2 Minor illnesses

Pharmacists can now prescribe medicines that would usually require a doctor’s authorisation, in order to treat a range of common conditions:

• bacterial conjunctivitis

• impetigo

• nappy rash

• female urinary tract Infection

• oral candidiasis

The project has been developed by Devon Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC), Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, and NHS England.

David Bearman, Chair of Devon LPC, said: “Pharmacists are highly-trained professionals who are willing and able to help if you get one of these minor illnesses. You don’t need an appointment – just drop in and you can be out again in just a few minutes with the medication and advice you need. We’ve all got consulting rooms, so it can all be done in complete privacy.”

Rory Thompson of Lloyds Pharmacy, Chudleigh, said: “We’re at the heart of the community, so we’re ideally placed to help people with these types of ailments. They’re the sorts of things that can be unpleasant and inconvenient, but don’t need a GP appointment to sort out. Just come and see us.”

Bridget Sampson, Director of Commissioning with NHS England’s Area Team for Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, said: “We’re very keen to make the most of our pharmacists’ skills and accessibility, because there’s real untapped potential to strengthen patient care close to home. The service is there – please make the most of it.”

Dr Dafydd Jones, a local GP and clinical lead for urgent care at the Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “There’s no such thing as wasting your pharmacist’s time. If you have a bad cough, trouble breathing, a cold or sore throat pop down to your local pharmacy for quick health advice or visit www.nhs.uk/asap. Early advice is the best advice.

“Pharmacists have longer opening hours than GP practices, you don’t need an appointment to see one, and most have a consultation area where you can speak privately. They’ll also tell you if they think you should see your GP.”