Community Pharmacy services

Did you know that your local pharmacy does more than just making up prescriptions?

They also deliver NHS services that can be easier to use than making an appointment to see someone in your surgery – whether you have symptoms you would like checked out or need support with long-term medication. Full details of each service can be found by following the links below to the NHS Inform website, and we have included a short description of the main services that are available from every pharmacy in Scotland as well.

The Minor Ailments Service

When you know you’re not well, but it’s not serious, your local community Pharmacist and their team can give you a free NHS consultation to assess your symptoms. They will always give you advice and may choose to supply you with free NHS treatment or refer you to another healthcare professional if it’s appropriate. Find out more including whether you are eligible for the service here.

When you know you’re not well, but it’s not serious, your local community Pharmacist and their team can give you a free NHS consultation to assess your symptoms. They will always give you advice and may choose to supply you with free NHS treatment or refer you to another healthcare professional if it’s appropriate. Find out more including whether you are eligible for the service here.

Pharmacy First

This is very similar to the Minor Ailment Service, but allows pharmacists to treat urinary infections in women under certain conditions, and also to prescribe for Impetigo, a common skin condition often seen in childhood.

Medicines: Care and Review Service

Formerly the Chronic Medication Service, this aims to provide structured support to people on long-term medication. It lets the pharmacy team record the advice that they have always given to people about conditions and the medication used to treat them, as well as starting to build a better picture of your health – not many people know that your Pharmacist can’t actually see or access any of your GP health records so this is so important to make sure any support is tailored to your needs! Read more here.

Quit Your Way stop smoking service

All pharmacies offer support for people looking to stop smoking. A member of the team will help you through a 12-week quit attempt, giving expert advice and support as well as therapy for free on the NHS. You just have to be over 12 and registered with a GP to access this! (If you’re under 13, you need to bring a parent or guardian with you!)

Community Pharmacy services

Did you know that your local pharmacy does more than just making up prescriptions?

They also deliver NHS services that can be easier to use than making an appointment to see someone in your surgery – whether you have symptoms you would like checked out or need support with long-term medication. Keep reading to know what is available for free in your local pharmacy.

1. The Minor Ailments Service

When you know you’re not well, but it’s not serious, your local community Pharmacist and their team can give you a free NHS consultation to assess your symptoms. They will always give you advice and may choose to supply you with free NHS treatment or refer you to another healthcare professional if it’s appropriate. Once registered, and you suffer from symptoms of a minor ailment, then you can contact the pharmacy where you are registered and have a consultation with the pharmacist. This replaces attending the GP practice for an appointment.

Who can use this service

•    aged under 16
•    aged 19 or under and in full-time education
•    aged 60 or over
•    have a valid maternity, medical or war pension exemption certificate
•   receive certain benefits

You can’t use this service if you live in a care or nursing home.

How to register

To register, your pharmacist will complete a form and will need to know:

• your name
• date of birth
• address including postcode
• your gender

You’ll be asked to confirm that you can use the service and might have to provide proof of eligibility.

Once complete, your pharmacist will ask you to sign the form to confirm your registration declaration.

• Pharmacy First

This is very similar to the previous service and allows pharmacists to treat urinary infections in women under certain conditions and other specific conditions.

• Medicines

This aims to provide structured support to people on long-term medication. It lets the pharmacy team record the advice that they have always given to people about conditions and the medication used to treat them, as well as starting to build a better picture of your health – not many people know that your Pharmacist can’t actually see or access any of your GP health records so this is so important to make sure any support is tailored to your needs!

You can use this service if you:

• get regular prescriptions to treat a long-term condition
• are registered with a GP practice in Scotland

You can’t use this service if you:

• are a temporary resident in Scotland
• live in a care home

When you’ve registered for the service, your pharmacist will:

• look at how you use your medicines
• ask you about the medicines you are prescribed for your condition
• ask about any problems you have with them

Following this review, your pharmacist will decide if a care plan would be helpful.

To register, your pharmacist will complete a form and will need to know:

• your name
• date of birth
• address including postcode
• your gender
• your Community Health Index (CHI) number

You’ll also be asked to confirm that you:

• want to register for the service
• have registered with a doctor’s surgery in Scotland and have a long-term condition
• agree for your doctor and pharmacist to share some information about your medicines

Once complete, your pharmacist will ask you to sign the form and notify your doctor that you’ve registered for the service at their pharmacy.

• Stop smoking service

All pharmacies offer support for people looking to stop smoking. A member of the team will help you through a 12-week quit attempt, giving expert advice and support as well as therapy for free on the NHS. You just have to be over 12 and registered with a GP to access this! (If you’re under 13, you need to bring a parent or guardian with you!)

You can find further details here. Please, contact us if you have any questions.