Think Pharmacist when it comes to your kids’ health

15th February 2018

Parents are being urged to think first about getting advice from their local pharmacist if their young child has a minor health problem.

The call for people, in particular parents of under-fives, to use their pharmacist for advice is part of the Stay Well Pharmacy campaign launched by the NHS this week.

Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals and are part of the wider NHS team, so it makes sense to use their expertise.

Almost everyone in Stockport lives within a few minutes of a pharmacy so getting advice there is really convenient and quick.

Very few mums and dads, with kids under five, think about doing this but as you don’t need to make an appointment, you can get on-the-spot help.

And if the pharmacist has concerns that the symptoms, in their expert opinion, indicate something more serious they’ll know exactly where your child should be seen.

The NHS believes this move could free up GP time, for sicker patients who really need to see them, and save time for busy families.

Nationally over 20 million visits to GPs and A&E are for minor problems – such as coughs and tummy upsets – which are self-treatable.

One of Stockport’s leading pharmacists Peter Marks, from Heald Green’s Peak Pharmacy, said “It is great to see an NHS campaign that puts pharmacists at the front of people’s minds when it comes to getting some clinical advice.

“I don’t think many people are aware that we are part of the NHS team and as such our training takes years and is very rigorous so people can have complete confidence in us.

“When it comes to over the counter medicines for minor health concerns such as coughs, colds or tummy troubles we are the ideal people to talk to. We are here to help so please use us.”

Dr Ranjit Gill, Chief Clinical Officer for Stockport CCG, added “I think pharmacists are sometimes an undervalued tool in the NHS armoury but they are very important. They are really accessible, convenient and a valuable first port of call for minor health concerns such as coughs, colds, tummy troubles or teething.

“They can assess your child’s symptoms and provide clinical advice, or simply provide reassurance that it is nothing more serious. However if they do have concerns they will refer you quickly to the right place.”
The NHS nationally is working with community pharmacies to increase the range of patient services they provide including asthma audits and flu vaccinations and to promote the clinical expertise available from the pharmacy team.