Posts Tagged ‘pharmacy’
Pharmacy opening hours – August 2019
Prescribing of over-the-counter medicines is changing in Scarborough and Ryedale
Doctors
in Scarborough and Ryedale will no longer usually prescribe medicines that
patients can buy over-the-counter for a range of minor health concerns,
including hay fever, coughs and colds, aches and pains and sunburn.
Patients
are instead encouraged to visit their local pharmacy for advice and treatments.
There’s
no need to make an appointment to see a pharmacist, making it quicker and
easier for patients. It also helps free up GP appointment slots for those who
need them most.
Some
of the products to treat minor, short-term illnesses can be purchased
over-the-counter at a lower cost than that which would be incurred by the NHS.
Some
medicines are also available from other retail outlets such as supermarkets,
convenience stores and health food stores. These are usually general sales list
items and can be purchased without advice from a pharmacist.
Clinical
Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in Humber, Coast and Vale have adopted new guidance
issued by NHS England last year following the results of a public consultation
on the prescribing of over-the-counter medicines for minor, short-term health
concerns.
The
guidance does not affect the prescribing of over-the-counter treatments for
long-term conditions or more complex conditions, or where minor illnesses are a
symptom or side effect of a more serious condition.
The
NHS spends around £136 million a year on prescriptions for medicines which
could otherwise have been bought over-the-counter. By reducing the amount of
money the NHS spends on over-the-counter medicines, the NHS can give priority
to treatments for people with more serious conditions such as cancer, diabetes
and mental illness.
Dr
Phil Garnett, NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG Clinical Chair, said: “Our NHS
services are precious and by buying medicines over-the-counter for minor health
concerns from your local pharmacy or supermarket, rather than obtaining them on
prescription, we can make more efficient use of NHS resources and free up more
GP appointments for people who need them most.
“Having
home remedies to hand ensures people can self-manage minor illness or injury.
Medicines to keep in stock include pain relief tablets, antiseptic cream, cough
remedies and antihistamines.”
Alex
Seale, Senior Responsible Officer for Planned Care at the Humber, Coast and
Vale Health and Care Partnership, said: “CCGs in Humber, Coast and Vale are
working in partnership to ensure their populations are aware of the
prescription changes happening nationally within the NHS.
“Empowering
the public to self-manage minor conditions or injuries by buying products
over-the-counter is a positive behavioural change we need to embed into our
communities to ensure NHS resources are used effectively.”
Visit www.prescriptionchanges.co.uk for
more information about the prescribing changes and for a full list of
conditions for which over-the-counter medicines will no longer be routinely
prescribed.
Patients encouraged to ‘choose the right care at the right time’ over the Easter weekend
The NHS in Scarborough and Ryedale says patients who become unwell over the Easter weekend can save time if they choose the right health services.
With most GP practices
closed for the four-day Easter weekend which begins with Good Friday on 19
April, local NHS leaders want to make sure people access the most appropriate
care, depending on whether they have a minor health complaint, or something
more serious.
Residents who need urgent
medical help should ring NHS 111 – trained health professionals can advise on
where to go for the best treatment – or if it’s something less serious like a
cough, cold or rash, people can visit their local community pharmacy for advice
and support.
NHS Scarborough and
Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Chairman, Dr Phil Garnett, said: “It’s
important people use NHS resources sensibly and ‘choose the right care, first
time’.
“A wide range of common
illnesses and injuries can be treated at home simply with over-the-counter
medicines and plenty of rest. Often there is no shortcut to recovery – in many
cases these things just need to run their course.”
People suffering from
a minor ailment who need additional advice or reassurance should visit their
local pharmacy or if it’s more serious, Urgent Treatment Centres like those based
at Scarborough and Malton Hospitals are there to deal with illnesses and
injuries like strains and sprains, suspected broken limbs, fevers, abdominal pain
and emergency contraception.
“While it’s possible
to walk in and be seen, it’s much better to pre-book an appointment through NHS
111, who will direct you to the most appropriate place to meet your needs. If
you receive an appointment at the Urgent Treatment Centre, they will aim to see
you within 30 minutes of your appointment time.
“The Accident and
Emergency department and 999 are for emergencies only, in serious or
life-threatening situations.”
The local NHS is also reminding patients with
long-term conditions to make sure they have enough of their regular medication
to cover them over the long Easter weekend.
NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG issues cold weather alert health advice
Published on Feb 26, 2018
With weather forecasters predicting a prolonged period of cold conditions, ice and snow this week, heath chiefs in Scarborough and Ryedale are urging residents to “stay well”.
Cold weather often triggers an increase in demand for NHS services. Ice and snow can lead to an increase in slips and falls, while the cold can lead to poorer health for older people, the very young and those with an existing respiratory illness or infection.
NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) says there are measures we can all take to reduce the risk of cold-related ill health and keep NHS resources free for those who need them the most.
Dr Phil Garnett, chairman of NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG, said: “Cold weather is a mere inconvenience for many people, but for others it poses more serious health risks.
“If you have an elderly relative, friend or neighbour, it’s important to check up on them to see if they are keeping warm – ideally homes should be heated to at least 18C.
“We’re also asking people to take extra care when walking or driving during icy conditions. And if you have existing heart or lung problems, or recently had a fall, is a trip out absolutely necessary?
“If you start to feel unwell, even if it’s a cough or a cold, don’t wait until it gets more serious – seek advice from your pharmacist. If you have cold or flu, it’s best to buy medicines like paracetamol over-the-counter from your local supermarket, corner shop or pharmacy. And then stay at home, drink plenty of fluids and keep warm.
“Should you not see an improvement in your illness, get in touch with your GP practice and they should be able to offer you an appointment.
“If you’re not sure where you should go or need medical advice but it’s not an emergency, we’d always recommend dialling ‘111’ to speak with someone who can offer advice and signpost you to the most appropriate service.”
For more information and tips on staying well, please visit the campaign website.
Read MoreNHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG backs Stay Well Pharmacy campaign
Published on Feb 26, 2018
NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is backing a national campaign to encourage people to make more use of their local pharmacy to free up GP time for sicker patients and potentially save the NHS around £850 million a year.
Stay Well Pharmacy is a campaign from NHS England which encourages people, especially parents and carers of children under the age of five, to visit their local pharmacy team first for clinical advice for minor health concerns such as sore throats, coughs, colds, tummy troubles, teething and aches and pains.
Dr Greg Black, NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG’s clinical lead for medicine, said: “Pharmacists are available to provide expert health advice and in most cases are conveniently located and easy to access within local communities.
“Pharmacists are able to provide help in managing minor illnesses and give health and wellbeing advice, so they are a useful person to see for minor health concerns.”
Community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are qualified healthcare professionals who are the right people to see if you need clinical advice or over the counter medicines to help safely manage a wide range of minor health concerns.
Pharmacists are trained in managing minor illness and can assess symptoms and recommend the best course of treatment or simply provide reassurance, for instance when a minor illness will get better on its own with a few days’ rest. And if symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, they have the right clinical training to ensure people get the help they need.
With most people living within easy reach of a pharmacy and with many pharmacies offering extended opening hours in the evenings and at weekends, pharmacy teams offer fast and convenient clinical support with no appointment needed. Most community pharmacies (over 90%) now offer a private consultation room, suitable for a confidential conversation, should it be requested.
Using a pharmacy for minor health concerns will help free up GP time for more urgent appointments and help reduce non-emergency A&E visits.
Search www.nhs.uk/staywellpharmacy for more information and to help you find your nearest NHS pharmacy services and opening hours.
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