Pharmacists are here to help – ask away!

News Release from NHS Stockport CCG

It’s national ‘Ask Your Pharmacist Week' between Monday, 1 November and Sunday
7 November which highlights the sorts of health problems community pharmacies can help us with – and it may be more than most people think.

Pharmacy teams work with other professionals, such as doctors and nurses, to give people the best possible care as part of the local healthcare team. They are part of the NHS family, and their range of clinical services has expanded significantly in recent years with several launching in 2021.

People’s positive experiences of community pharmacy during this ongoing pandemic has rightfully raised expectations of what they can offer, and people can feel reassured that advice and guidance and is always available.

Dr Cath Munro, Chair of NHS Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Pharmacists are experts in the use of medicines, managing minor illnesses and providing health and wellbeing advice. So, no-one should feel shy about asking pharmacists for help about common ailments.

“We can all get clinical advice and prompt treatment for common illnesses like colds, sort throats, eye infections, earaches and itchy skin, for example. You can have your blood pressure checked, get advice about taking new medicines and even receive guidance on changes to your prescribed medication after leaving hospital.

“Because pharmacists work in a chemist, it’s so easy to just pop in and ask away –you don’t even need an appointment and you can discuss things confidentially too.
I encourage anyone to ‘Ask Their Pharmacist’ if they have questions about any minor illness.”