Health service is launched to ease pressures

The Pharmacy+ Clinic scheme means people with a minor illness can visit their local participating pharmacist, instead of booking and waiting for a GP appointment.

Under the scheme, pharmacists will offer patients a confidential consultation to talk through their symptoms and the medications they are taking, before offering healthcare advice and medicines where appropriate.

Fleetwood GP and vice chair of NHS Fylde and Wyre clinical commissioning group (CCG), Dr Adam Janjua, said: “The scheme has been designed to help local people get the most appropriate health advice and medication quickly and conveniently for minor health problems.

“The demands on general practices are continuing to increase due to a rising population and people living longer but with more complex health conditions.

“If everybody went to a pharmacist with minor health problems, GPs would have more time to deal with patients who have more serious and complicated illnesses.

“This should make it easier to get a convenient appointment with your GP next time you need one.”

Any patient registered with a GP in Fylde and Wyre can use the scheme.

Patients who are under 16 years of age can also use the service but should have a parent with them when they speak to the pharmacist.

There is no cost to take part. Visit www.pharmacyplus.clinic for more.