A NEW scheme that means pharmacies can treat common conditions has been hailed a success in its first few months.

Under the common conditions scheme, community pharmacists can offer help and advice on:

·    Aches and pains - back pain, headache, period pain, teething

·    Allergies - bites and stings, hay fever, skin reaction       

·    Colds and flu – cough, congestion, sore throat, fever / temperature (including fever following immunisation)

·    Ear care – earache, ear infection, ear wax

·    Eye care - bacterial conjunctivitis, styes

·    Gastrointestinal care – diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion, haemorrhoids (piles)

·    Head lice

·    Mouth care - cold sores, oral thrush, ulcers

·    Skin care - athletes foot, contact dermatitis / atopic eczema, nappy rash, warts, and verrucae.

·    Vaginal thrush

This is in addition to a wide range of other conditions that can be treated with medication available from your local pharmacist.

Paul Fieldhouse, clinical director of Pharmacy at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Initial indications are that many people are accessing this new service.

“People are able to be treated quicker without the need for a GP appointment – improving access to treatment for patients as well as saving time and money.

“What you have to remember is that pharmacies have changed over the years and are busier than ever because of the number of services they offer. Some open late when GP surgeries are closed. Part of the appeal of a pharmacy is that you don’t have to make an appointment.”

Treatment under the common conditions scheme is fast, convenient, and any medication prescribed will be free of charge for people who don’t normally pay for their prescriptions, or charged at the usual NHS prescription rate for those who do.

Pharmacists are also now able to assess and treat patients for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women under the age of 65, without the need for a GP appointment, following a successful pilot in north Cumbria.

Since the pilot scheme began in July 2022, more than 30,000 women have been treated for uncomplicated urinary tract infections at local pharmacies, giving them more choice in where and how they access care whilst also freeing up tens of thousands of GP appointments at the same time.

Many local community pharmacies also offer free blood pressure checks for the over 40s and flu and Covid-19 immunisations.