Community Pharmacy

When you call the surgery, our care navigators book you in to see the most appropriate member of the multidisciplinary team. To optimise patient experience and ensure that everyone gets the care that they need, our care navigators will direct appropriate patients to the community pharmacist.

What is an NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation?

• It’s a consultation with a fully qualified pharmacist at a local pharmacy.
• It involves a clinical assessment and conversation with the pharmacist. This will be in the privacy of a consultation room.

How can the Pharmacist Help?

• The pharmacist has the right clinical training to assess you and recommend the best treatment for some common conditions.
• If your symptoms suggest it’s more serious, the pharmacist will help you to get an urgent GP appointment if needed.
• If you don’t need any treatment the pharmacist will be able to provide reassurance. For instance, a minor illness may get better on its own.
• To help with symptoms, the pharmacist may offer to sell you an over-the-counter medicine.

What Happens Next?

• The pharmacist will make a record of the outcome and send it to your GP.

What Training Does the Pharmacist Have?

• Every pharmacist is trained for five years in the use of medicines, managing minor illnesses and providing health and wellbeing advice, so they are the right person to see.

If you have any questions, please speak to the local pharmacy team, or contact the surgery.

For further information: Go to www.nhs.uk/pharmacyadvice.