The minor ailment scheme is designed to enable people with minor health conditions to access medicines and advice they would otherwise visit their doctor for. It allows patients to see a qualified health professional at a convenient and accessible location within their community, and means patients do not need to wait for a GP appointment or queue up for a valuable A&E slot with a non-urgent condition.
Ailments that may be treated under the scheme include:
- Coughs & colds
- Sore Throat
- Diarrhoea
- Headache / Earache / Temperature
- Hayfever /Insect Bites
- Head lice
- Nappy rash
- Constipation
- Vaginal Thrush
- Bacterial Conjunctivitis
- Cold Sores
- Teething
- Acute Cystitis in Women
- Eczema and Dry Skin
The Minor Ailment Scheme increases the NHS resources by utilising pharmacists, with their extensive knowledge, in supporting GPs. This allows GPs to concentrate on the complex clinical needs of their patients and provides patients with a additional NHS professional resources that can confidentiality and quickly address their needs when suffering from minor ailments. Please ask at reception for more information and a list of participating pharmacies.