NHS aims to increase the number of people who visit their local pharmacy for minor illnesses<\/h1>\n
Just one in five people aged 18-40 would visit their local pharmacy first for expert advice with a minor illness, new polling has found.<\/p>\n
The NHS has today launched a new campaign to highlight how high-street pharmacies can support patients with non-urgent health advice for minor conditions including coughs, aches and colds.<\/p>\n
\u2018Movie-inspired\u2019 Help Us Help You adverts will run across catch-up TV services, online video, radio and social media, dramatising minor illnesses and highlighting the vital clinical advice, support and over-the-counter medicines that local pharmacists can offer to help \u2018nip issues in the bud\u2019 before they potentially worsen.<\/p>\n
The \u2018Earache strikes back\u2019, \u2018sore throat and the lost voice\u2019, and \u2018night of the itchy eye\u2019 ads are aimed at reminding people that their pharmacy is there for them for minor health issues.<\/p>\n
This is one of several campaigns aimed at drawing attention to the importance of accessing the most appropriate NHS service when patients are in need. NHS chiefs have said it is vital that people come forward when they have health concerns \u2013 whether that is through their local pharmacy, 111 or by calling 999 or going to A&E when they need to seek urgent medical help.<\/p>\n
Minor health issues include minor aches, cystitis and colds, with people able to access information on a full range of conditions online<\/a> on the NHS website.<\/p>\n Find a local pharmacy<\/a>\n\n NHS England has outlined plans to expand the role of community pharmacies, from delivering blood pressure checks to help prevent strokes and for pharmacists to help detect cancer earlier.<\/p>\n Chief pharmaceutical officer, David Webb, said:<\/p>\n \u201cCommunity pharmacies are right in the heart of local communities, and with pharmacists fully trained clinical professionals, they are the perfect place for anybody suffering from a minor illness to get expert advice.<\/p>\n \u201cPharmacies can offer the convenience of turn up on the day consultations and can help you get any care needed including over-the-counter-medicines. So whether suffering from a cough, earache, itchy eye, or any other minor illness, popping into your local pharmacy is a great way to nip an issue in the bud before it potentially worsens.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n