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ADVERTORIAL: Need health advice? Why you should make your pharmacy your first port of call before trying a GP

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Just one in three people would think of asking a local pharmacist for health advice.

A massive 91% believe dispensing medicine is a pharmacist's main role.

But today, the pharmacy chain Boots, which carried out the poll, is aiming to raise awareness of the huge variety of services available - including those aimed at preventing ill health in the first place.

Stephen Fishwick of the National Pharmacy Association, which represents independent pharmacies said: "It's important people are made more aware of what's available on their doorstep in pharmacies, so they don't make unnecessary trips to the GP or even to A&E".

"Community pharmacists provide prompt access to professional healthcare advice and now offer a wide range of clinical and public health services, as well as treatments for common ailments".

"You might be surprised at what pharmacies now offer: personalised medicine advice, help for quitting smoking and maintaining good sexual health, treatment for common ailments, advice on preventing diseases and more. It's a package of care, not just a packet of pills".

If you're suffering from a cough and cold, your pharmacist can advise you as to how to help alleviate your symptoms.

Diabetes risk assessments and stop smoking advice are just some of the services on offer at the 2,300 Boots pharmacies across the country.

Patients in England and Wales eligible for a free NHS winter flu jab will this year be able to get it in selected pharmacies, including Boots.

Rob Darracott, chief executive of Pharmacy Voice said: "More pharmacies are taking on the role of a 'health hub' where people can go get advice.

"Local authorities and the NHS are commissioning pharmacies to offer prevention services rather than cures".

"We have a great network of pharmacies across the UK with trained health professionals in each one, who can make a real difference to people's health".

More than 15 million people in England are living with long-term health conditions

Half of all GP appointments and 70% of hospitals beds are taken up by patients living with one or more long-term health problems.

And the number of people with three or more long-term disorders is expected to increase to 2.9 million by 2018.

Boots Pharmacies want to raise awareness of how they can help patients better manage these conditions.

Trained staff have the expertise to deliver a range of NHS and privately-run services, usually offering your choice of daytime, evening and weekend appointments.

Mr Darracott said: "Between 5% and 7% of people are admitted to hospital in an emergency because they haven't been taking their medicine properly."

"By improving people's knowledge with our Medicines Use Review service, we can help them better manage their conditions and have better relief from their symptoms."

"Inhalers are a good example. If pharmacists can teach people how to use them properly we can give patients better relief of their symptoms and spare them being admitted to hospital."

Boots also wants to spread the message that in many cases pharmacies should be the first port of call for patients - instead of going straight to the GP.

This is because pharmacists are able to deal with minor illnesses such as coughs and colds, eye infections, skin conditions and other minor infections.

"Given the average wait for a GP is five days, this means that patients can get instant help."

Ash Soni, who is President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said: "It is estimated that as many as a fifth of people that attend GP practices with health issues could be dealt with just as well by a community pharmacist".

"People who might struggle to get a GP appointment due to demand can often walk into their local pharmacy and get the health care they need - there is no appointment required."

Mr Soni added: "Pharmacists study for a year more than a nurse and only a year less than a doctor".

"They are medicine specialists and many have received extra training to deal with specific health conditions, advise patients on their options and recommend products and treatments".

"Pharmacists are expert practitioners and our skills go well beyond the most recognised role of dispensing medicine".

Those who are not eligible for the free NHS winter flu jab can also pay to have one done privately at a Boots pharmacy, as long as they meet the criteria for it.

A survey by Boots revealed that people who do choose to pay a pharmacy for services do so because they like to be able to get quicker appointments, more convenient time slots and a longer consultation time.

Boots nationwide pharmacies are generally open longer than the average GP practice, meaning patients have more time to pick up prescriptions, buy over-the-counter medicine or drop in for advice and support.

In some cases they are even open as late as midnight.

You can also save time with the repeat prescription service, available free of charge.

Boots will request your prescription from your doctor on your behalf, ensure they have it ready when you need it and even send you a text when it's ready for collection.

Mr Darracott added: "The message we want to get across is: Come and have a look at what services are available in your local pharmacy".

"You probably don't realise the scale of what's on offer and the skills and qualifications of the people who are there to help".

To find the full list of services near you, visit boots.com/storelocator

The pharmacist says:

Tom Kallis loves his job as a Boots pharmacist in Plymouth, Devon.

"Community pharmacies are a place where much more happens than just dispensing medicine", he said.

"Pharmacies are at the heart of most communities. No other primary care setting is able to offer access to a health care professional, with five years training and without an appointment in the space of a few minutes".

Tom believes pharmacists are well-placed to deal with minor ailments such as coughs, colds, uncomplicated skin conditions and fungal infections.

He adds: "Community pharmacies also run public health campaigns as part of their NHS contracts, which usually tie in with local health priorities".

"We will be backing 'Stoptober' - a challenge to stay smoke-free during October. At Boots, we can help smokers wanting to quit by supplying nicotine replacement therapy patches and other devices".

He continues: "The NHS is drawing on the expertise of pharmacists by commissioning a range of new clinical services. In my own clinic in Plymouth people can access services for free emergency contraception, as well as screening and treating chlamydia without having to see a doctor".

"We also run private clinics, supplying medicine for erectile dysfunction and hair retention. In the last year we founded the first pharmacy-led Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre as part of our travel service".

"Most people have no idea about the range of health services at their pharmacy - so my advice would be to drop in and find out what is on offer".

We all know about healthy eating, getting enough exercise and kicking bad habits, but what kind of physical state are we in?

Percentage of adults who smoke: 17.8%

Percentage of adults who achieve at least 150 minutes of moderate physical exercise per week: 55.5%

Percentage of adults classified as obese: 24.5%

Statistics from the Health and Social Care Information Centre, Diabetes UK and the British Heart Foundation.

For more information visit the Boots Pharmacy website.

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