Services
Minor Ailments Service
Page Contents
Overview
How to Access the Minor Ailment Service
What Conditions are Covered by the Minor Ailment Service at P&S Chemist
Frequently Asked Questions About the Minor Ailment Service
With the increase in appointments and waiting times at local surgeries throughout London, much of our local General Practitioner's (GP) time is spent dealing with many conditions that are classed as Minor Ailments. Minor Ailments are conditions that, with appropriate advice from P&S Chemist or your local pharmacy (provided they are signed up to the scheme), you can treat yourself with over-the-counter medicines. By visiting P&S Chemist to use this service, instead of booking and waiting for a GP appointment, you can save yourself a considerable amount of time, as the Minor Ailment Service is a walk-in service. Consequently, there is no need to book an appointment and you will enable your GP to provide appointments to those more in need so that your GP can focus on treating people who are more ill than yourself.
As part of the Minor Ailment Service, our pharmacists at P&S Chemist are trained and qualified to recognise and treat common illnesses and health issues. They will provide advice and where appropriate, recommend over-the-counter medicines with suitable advice that will help you to treat yourself and resolve your health issue. Plus, you can have the added benefit that if our pharmacist thinks that you need to see your doctor, they will advise you upon that course of action, if it is not too serious, or they may decide to speak directly to your doctor to ensure you receive a quicker appointment if necessary.
How to Access the Minor Ailment Service
Not all pharmacies in the UK are part of the Minor Ailment Service, so you need to ensure your local pharmacy is part of the scheme. It is also important to note that health conditions and medicines that are covered by the Minor Ailment Service differ from region to region throughout the United Kingdom.
Consequently, you will need to talk to your local pharmacy about what is offered under the Minor Ailment Service. The NHS Minor Ailment Service officially endorses P&S Chemist and we are active participants; please see the section below for details of the conditions that are covered by this service.
If you normally receive your medicines for free, you may need to bring evidence that you do not normally pay prescription charges. Please speak to our pharmacist regarding the evidence you should present to them.
What Conditions are Covered by the Minor Ailment Service at P&S Chemist
Within the London Borough of Redbridge, where P&S Chemist is located, the Minor Ailment Service provides a wide-ranging and comprehensive list of conditions that, with the appropriate advice and medicine available over the counter, you can treat yourself. If you have any of the following conditions, then please visit us at P&S Chemist to experience the advantages of this service.
- Athletes Foot
- Cold sores
- Constipation
- Conjunctivitis
- Cystitis
- Diarrhoea
- Eczema & Contact Dermatitis
- Fever and High Temperature
- Head lice
- Heartburn & Indigestion
- Insect bites and stings
- Mouth ulcers
- Nasal congestion
- Oral thrush (Candidia)
- Scabies (skin)
- Sprains, strains, bruising, and back pain
- Threadworm
- Vaginal Candidiasis
- Viral upper respiratory tract infection
Whether you choose to use the Minor Ailment Service or not please try to remember that if everybody thought about 'pharmacy first' and went to their pharmacist with common health problems, more time would be freed up for our doctors. This may make it easier to get a convenient appointment with your GP next time you urgently need one.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Minor Ailment Service
Will I always receive medication?
Not if our pharmacist feels it is not required. What you will receive is good, sound, and knowledgeable advice on how best to deal with your ailment and symptoms. If medication is appropriate, our pharmacist at P&S Chemist will provide the correct medicine for you and will clearly advise you on how to take the medicine provided. This should only be used by you and not shared with anyone else, even if they have similar symptoms.
Do I have to pay for this service?
If you are exempt from prescription charges you will need to sign a form to confirm you normally receive your prescriptions free of charge. If you normally pay prescription charges to receive medication, then you will need to pay to receive your medication.
Is this service confidential?
Yes, the information about any advice or treatment provided by P&S Chemist will only be shared with your registered doctor.
What happens if I require treatment that is not covered by the Minor Ailment Service?
Our pharmacist, if necessary, will refer you to your doctor if your illness is not treatable under the Minor Ailment Service. Alternatively, they may decide to speak directly to your GP to ensure you receive a quicker appointment if our pharmacist deems such action necessary.
Can I use my usual pharmacy to receive treatment using the Minor Ailment Service?
If you choose, you can go to any pharmacy that is subscribed to the Minor Ailment Service. Although, it is important to note that health conditions and medicines that are covered by this service differ from region to region throughout the United Kingdom.
What medicines can I get?
Only the medicines that are used to treat the list of conditions mentioned above. Antibiotics are not included as their use should be restricted to conditions outside of this scheme. Any repeat medication is also excluded.
What will I be asked at the pharmacy?
The pharmacist will need to know about your symptoms and any other medication you are currently taking.
Page last reviewed: 04/10/2022
Next review date: 04/10/2024