News More people now able to take advantage of pharmacy scheme
A scheme offering patients free advice and prescriptions from their chemist has just got bigger.
The Minor Ailments Scheme gives patients who are exempt from paying for prescriptions and are registered with a GP the option of going to their local chemist for advice on minor conditions.
Now, the scheme has been extended to include all pharmacies in Goole and the Alliance pharmacy in Howden.
The conditions covered include allergies and hayfever, coughs, colds and flu, constipation, diarrhoea, head lice, insect bites and stings, sore throats and threadworms.
Patients will not have to pay for the medicines received, and will also benefit by not having to wait for an appointment with their GP.
A spokesperson for the East Riding of Yorkshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) said: "It offers greater convenience with many community pharmacies open after GP surgery opening hours, and the additional benefit of releasing GP appointment time for other patients.
"It has been a particular advantage this year with the increased number of patients visiting their GPs to get medical treatment for bites and stings."
The scheme has been expanded after receiving favourable feedback from users over the first three years.
The new healthcare professionals have now completed a comprehensive training programme. Accredited pharmacies must provide a private consultation room.
The PCT's director of quality and professional services, Kate Ireland, said it was another example of the trust bringing services closer to home and increasing patients' choice.
"The success of the scheme so far is due to the partnership working between GPs and local pharmacies and we are delighted to be able to expand the scheme to further pharmacies in the Goole area," she said.
Published on 4th October 2007 in News.
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