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Pharmacy First - Minor Ailment Scheme

It has been estimated that in the UK up to 150 million GP consultations per year are for conditions that may be self treatable. This means that on average up to 16 appointments per GP/Nurse per day could potentially be saved by introducing a Community Pharmacy Minor Ailment scheme!

Our aim in Torfaen is to introduce and maintain a successful Community Pharmacy scheme to help save some of these appointments by offering free advice and treatment through The Pharmacy First Scheme.

From May 2006, every pharmacy in Torfaen was given the opportunity to provide this service and 19 out of 21 pharmacies can now offer the Pharmacy First scheme. These Pharmacies are:

Abersychan Pharmacy
Alliance Pharmacy, Cwmbran
Boots the Chemist, Cwmbran
Boots the Chemist, Pontypool
Health Plus Pharmacy, Pontnewynydd
Lloyds Pharmacy, Croesyceiliog
Lloyds Pharmacy, Fairwater
Lloyds Pharmacy, Llanyravon
Lloyds Pharmacy, Pontnewydd
Lloyds Pharmacy, West Pontnewydd
Lloyds Pharmacy, Griffithstown
Lloyds Pharmacy, Pontypool
Mayberry Pharmacy, Trevethin
Mayberry Pharmacy, Pontypool
Health Centre, Blaenavon
National Co-op, Blaenavon
National Co-op, Garndiffaith
S C Powell, Pontnewydd
Shil Pharmacy, Thornhill

Contact details for the above pharmacies

So, if you feel you are suffering from any of these:

Athletes foot Common cold Conjunctivitis Constipation Cough Diarrhoea Earache Hayfever Headache Head Lice Heartburn Indigestion Sore Throat Threadworm Tummy upset Vaginal Thrush Warts Verrucas

........ try visiting your Pharmacy First. All you need to do is take some kind of identification with you to prove you are registered with a surgery in Torfaen e.g. surgery letter, repeat prescription, NHS card.

At the pharmacy you will have a consultation with the pharmacist where he / she will give you advice and any necessary treatment FREE of charge without having to make an appointment to see your GP.

In order to provide this service the Pharmacist has completed specific training to become accredited. Please be aware that if the accredited pharmacist is not present in one of the above pharmacies on the day you ask for the service, the pharmacy will not be able to offer it to you, but should inform you of other pharmacies you can access on that day.

Torfaen pharmacies are the first community pharmacies in Gwent able to offer this service, so in order to keep the scheme running, lets make sure we use it and get the best out of our pharmacies.

If you would like further information on this scheme pick up one of the Pharmacy First leaflets at your local pharmacy, ask your pharmacist about the scheme, or contact the Local Health Board.

Minor Ailment Scheme Formulary

• Thank you to everyone that completed and returned the questionnaire about the Pharmacy First scheme. All of your comments have been noted and will be used to improve the service for the future.
• The winner of the prize draw was Lisa Waters of Croesyceiliog.

Please send any comments to cheryl.morgan@torfaenlnb.wales.nhs.uk