By Bhavesh Patel, Community Pharmacist from Essex
Winter brings festive cheer, but also the familiar sniffles, coughs, and minor illnesses. When you’re feeling unwell, your first thought might be to book a GP appointment. But there’s a convenient, expert alternative close to home: your local community pharmacist.
Community pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals who do much more than dispense prescriptions. As experts in the safe and effective use of medicines, we offer trusted health advice and a wide range of clinical and public health services – often without the need for a GP appointment.
Through the Pharmacy First service, you can receive expert advice and treatment if needed for many minor health conditions, including some of the common winter illnesses like sore throats, ear infections and sinusitis, as well as skin conditions like shingles and impetigo.
Pharmacists can carry out a confidential consultation in a private room, assess your symptoms, and where appropriate, we can provide prescription-only medicines on the spot. With your consent, we can update your GP record to keep your care connected and your GP informed.
For everyday illnesses such as coughs, colds, tummy upsets, and minor aches and pains, we can also recommend effective treatments and offer practical self-care advice. If your symptoms need further attention, we can guide you to the right service.
You might know it, but pharmacists can also help people manage their long-term conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure, especially in colder months when symptoms can worsen. Cold weather can trigger asthma, festive routines can affect diabetes control, and stress can impact blood pressure.
Many community pharmacies also provide a growing range of wider services, including:
- Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations
- Blood pressure checks and cardiovascular health advice
- NHS contraception services and emergency contraception
- Support with quitting smoking
- Weight management and healthy lifestyle advice
- New Medicine Service to support with new prescriptions
- NHS health checks
- Waste medicine disposal
So please do think pharmacy first. Pharmacies are easy to access – on local high streets or in supermarkets – and often open evenings and weekends. They are a flexible and convenient option for busy people who need professional care.
Your local pharmacist is part of your community – we’re here to help keep you healthy all year long.
Not sure where your nearest pharmacy is? Use the NHS Pharmacy Finder via nhs.uk to search by location, services offered, and opening hours.
Winter health hub