Reminder to use pharmacies amid scheme expansion

Pharmacies are able to offer treatment for some conditions to ease pressure on GPs

The NHS is reminding patients that they can get treatment for a series of common conditions from their pharmacist without needing to see a GP.

The Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership (HCP) said patients can seek pharmacy treatment for conditions including earaches and and sore throats.

The partnership has launched an information campaign following the January rollout of an expanded element of the NHS Pharmacy First scheme, which aims to free-up GP appointments.

The Surrey Heartlands HCP said it wanted to "keep raising awareness" of the services available.

Patients can be seen by a pharmacist for conditions including earache, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Mala Mahasuria, from East Elmbridge Community Pharmacy, said: "Pharmacists are highly skilled individuals, and we are conveniently placed within the community to provide better accessibility for patients."

Healthwatch Surrey says 16 pharmacies across the county have closed since September 2022.

One anonymous pharmacy user in Esher raised concerns that it was still vital for patients to be able to see a GP for common conditions, if warranted.

She told BBC Surrey: "I think if you need to see a doctor, then you need to see a doctor and pharmacists - as great as the extended services are - are not doctors.

"So if I want to see a doctor I'd like to be able to get an appointment with my local GP and that can be difficult at the moment."

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