Health experts in Sefton are reminding residents to ask their pharmacist about the range of services available in local chemists during November, and beyond.
NHS Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS South Sefton CCG are supporting âAsk Your Pharmacistâ week, which highlights the range of services and support that is available to people from their local chemist.
Ask Your Pharmacist complements the national Stay Well This Winter campaign, encouraging people to look after themselves during the winter months â reminding them to see a pharmacist if they need advice on managing cough or cold symptoms.
Often, people make unnecessary trips to the GP or even A&E, when their neighbourhood chemist could help instead.
In recent years, pharmacists have expanded their role, and now provide a wide range of clinical and public health services, within easy reach of the people who need them most. However, whilst most people go first to their chemist for medicines and medicines advice, many donât know about the range of other healthcare services on offer in chemists.
Sarah Halpin, a pharmacist at Alexanderâs Pharmacy in Waterloo, said:
“Your local pharmacist is often the best place to go when you have a concern or question about a minor ailment. We can advise you on a number of conditions including aches and pains, sore throats, coughs, colds, flu, earache, cystitis, skin rashes and more.
âYour local pharmacy can help you look after your own and your familyâs health by offering advice on healthy eating, physical activity, losing weight and stopping smoking.
âThe best part about seeking advice from your pharmacist is that you donât need to book an appointment, and many pharmacies are open longer hours than some GP surgeries.”
It launched the third round of its Community Resilience Grant recently at the Sefton CVS conference and is particularly keen to hear from individuals who want to improve their local community.