With summer holidays here and people across Greater Glasgow and Clyde spending more time travelling, enjoying the outdoors and making the most of warmer weather, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is reminding people that their local pharmacy can be one of the best places to access healthcare advice and treatment for many common summer illnesses and minor injuries.
Community pharmacies offer expert advice and treatment without the need for an appointment and are often open when GP practices are closed for public holidays or weekends. Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals who can offer support with a wide range of common conditions, helping people get the right care quickly and conveniently.
Many summer health concerns can be managed safely with support from a local pharmacy, including:
- Hay fever and seasonal allergies
- Insect bites and stings
- Sunburn and minor skin conditions
- Coughs, colds and sore throats
- Minor aches and pains
- Upset stomachs and diarrhoea
- Minor cuts, grazes and strains.
Under the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland* service, people can also access advice, treatment and, where appropriate, medication for a range of common conditions without needing to see their GP.
Plan Ahead for a Healthy Summer
Whether you’re staying close to home or heading away on holiday, a little preparation can help you stay well throughout the summer.
Remember to:
- Order repeat prescriptions in plenty of time before travelling or bank holidays
- Pack any regular medications you need
- Keep a small supply of remedies at home for common summer ailments
- Know where your nearest pharmacy is if you need advice while out and about.
If you do become unwell, pharmacists can assess your symptoms and advise on the most appropriate treatment or signpost you to another healthcare service if needed.
Know Where to Turn
Local pharmacies play an important role in helping people access the right care in the right place. If you can’t treat at home, choosing a pharmacy for minor illnesses and injuries can mean you receive expert advice quickly.
If you’re unsure what service is right for you, the NHS inform website or NHS 24 online app provides trusted health information, self-help guides and symptom checkers to help you decide what to do next. This could involve treating home, attending your local pharmacy, calling NHS 24 on 111, or another appropriate service.
Janice Watt, Interim Director of Pharmacy for NHSGGC, said: “Community pharmacies are an important part of local healthcare and can be the quickest and most convenient place to get expert advice and support for many common illnesses and minor injuries.
“This summer, we would encourage people to think pharmacy first for conditions such as hay fever, insect bites, sunburn, coughs and colds.
“Pharmacists are highly skilled healthcare professionals who can provide advice, treatment and, where appropriate, medication, helping people get the right care quickly and close to home.”
Fraser McJannett, Director of Primary Care and GP Out of Hours for NHSGGC, said: “We want people to know where to turn when they need healthcare this summer. For many common conditions, a visit to your local pharmacy can provide fast access to expert advice without the need for an appointment.
“By using the most appropriate service for your needs, you can often receive help more quickly while ensuring GP practices, NHS 24, and emergency departments remain available for those who need them most.”
For more information about local pharmacy services, visit your nearest community pharmacy or click here: Pharmacy – NHSGGC.
* NHS Pharmacy First Scotland is available to everyone registered with a GP practice in Scotland or the Defence Medical Services on a permanent or temporary basis (including care home residents) and people who live in Scotland (including gypsy or travellers / asylum seeker or dependent of an asylum seeker).
Visitors to Scotland are excluded from accessing the service but pharmacists will still be able to provide general help and advice to these patients, as well as provide medication for over-the-counter sale.
