Swindon residents are being reminded that their local pharmacy can offer much more than prescriptions, with NHS pharmacists now able to provide advice, treatment and certain prescription medicines without the need for a GP appointment.
The message comes as part of Ask Your Pharmacist Week, running from 2 to 9 November, which aims to raise awareness of the healthcare services available at community pharmacies across Swindon, Wiltshire and the wider South West.
With winter approaching and seasonal illnesses becoming more common, health professionals are encouraging people to consider visiting their local pharmacy before contacting their GP for certain everyday health concerns.
For many people, a trip to the pharmacy could mean getting the help they need sooner, without having to arrange an appointment at their doctor’s surgery.
More than somewhere to collect prescriptions
Community pharmacists are trained healthcare professionals who can assess symptoms, recommend treatments and recognise when someone needs further medical attention.
Their role has expanded considerably in recent years, with many pharmacies now providing additional NHS services alongside dispensing medicines.
Mike Hewitson, Community Pharmacist, said: “Pharmacies are a vital part of the local community. We are accessible, approachable and available to everyone and many people are often surprised by the range of services available. We’re here to help with much more than prescriptions.”
He explained that pharmacists can provide help with everything from minor illnesses to managing long-term health conditions.
“Whether you need advice on a minor illness, support to manage a long-term condition, help with your medicines or a health check, our team can often provide assistance quickly and conveniently.”
Services available at participating pharmacies include NHS blood pressure checks for eligible adults aged 40 and over, oral contraception services, stop-smoking support, vaccinations, medicines reviews and advice on healthier living.
Not every pharmacy provides every service, so residents are advised to check what is available locally.
Seven conditions that can be treated through Pharmacy First
One of the biggest changes to community pharmacy services has been the introduction of the NHS Pharmacy First scheme.
The service allows pharmacists to assess and, where clinically appropriate, provide prescription-only medicines for seven common conditions without patients needing to visit their GP first.
The conditions covered are:
| Condition | Who can access treatment |
|---|---|
| Impetigo | People aged 1 year and over |
| Infected insect bites | People aged 1 year and over |
| Earache | Children and young people aged 1–17 |
| Sore throat | People aged 5 years and over |
| Sinusitis | People aged 12 years and over |
| Urinary tract infections | Women aged 16–64 |
| Shingles | People aged 18 years and over |
The service is subject to clinical assessment and eligibility criteria. A pharmacist will decide whether medication is needed, provide self-care advice or recommend further medical attention where appropriate.
For patients, it offers another way of accessing NHS healthcare, particularly when dealing with an illness that may not require a GP consultation.
Helping ease pressure on Swindon’s GP surgeries
Health leaders say making better use of community pharmacies could also help reduce demand on GP appointments, particularly during the busier winter months.
Peter Cope, Chief Pharmacist at NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset Integrated Care Board Cluster, said:
“Pharmacies across the region are on hand to help people stay well this winter, with pharmacists able to offer advice on a range of illnesses and treatment options, as well as prescribe medicine for a range of common health conditions.”
He added that pharmacies have an important role in making healthcare easier to access.
“Providing accessible healthcare close to home, pharmacies do a lot more than just dispensing patients’ prescriptions. By making use of pharmacy services, people receive expert advice and treatment more quickly, while also helping to ensure GP appointments are available for those with more complex healthcare needs.”
With community pharmacies located throughout Swindon, including in residential areas, shopping centres and on local high streets, many residents already have access to professional healthcare advice close to home.
The NHS hopes more people will take advantage of these services rather than assuming a GP appointment is always necessary.
How to find a pharmacy in Swindon
Residents looking for advice about a common illness, medication or one of the seven Pharmacy First conditions can contact a participating community pharmacy directly.
The NHS provides an online search facility showing nearby pharmacies and their contact details.
Find a local pharmacy using the NHS pharmacy finder.
Pharmacy First consultations are available through participating NHS pharmacies in England, with treatment provided according to individual clinical needs.
Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should continue to call 999, while NHS 111 remains available for urgent medical advice when it is not an emergency.
For everyday health concerns, however, the message from NHS professionals is straightforward: the local pharmacy could be the quickest place to start.
