Help us, help you get seen to.

NHS England and NHS improvement have launched a campaign to raise awareness that community pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals.

18 million of GP surgery appointments could be treated through self-care and community pharmacies.

Your local pharmacist can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines to effectively and safely manage a range of minor illnesses such as coughs, colds, sore throat, earache, itchy eyes, tummy troubles, aches and pains and many more.

Most people live within easy reach of a pharmacy, nine out of ten people live less than a 20 minute walk away from their local pharmacy and many offer extended opening hours in the evenings and weekends.

The 'Help us, Help You- Get seen to' campaign will highlight that local pharmacy teams offer a fast and convenient clinical service for minor illness, with no need for an appointment, and use of a confidential consultation room should it be required.

If symptoms suggest it's something more serious, pharmacists have the clinical training to ensure people get the help they need immediately and can refer patients to A&E or GP where necessary.

Every pharmacist trains for 5 years in the use of medicines before they qualify, and they are also trained in managing minor illnesses and providing health and wellbeing advice.

Help, us Help You, get it seen to visit https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/pharmacies/what-to-expect-from-your-pharmacy-team/ for more information.