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A new Minor Ailments Scheme has been established in North East Lincolnshire to provide local people with easy access to advice and medicine, and encourage self- care for long term and minor conditions.

The Minor Ailment Scheme can save time and enable people to avoid waiting to see a GP, and if a person’s prescriptions are free of charge then the pharmacist can offer the same free advice and free treatment.

The scheme is open to all patients registered with a GP in North East Lincolnshire and will signpost patients to their local pharmacy for treatment for a defined list of minor ailments or conditions.

People are being encouraged to consult their local pharmacist instead of a GP and those who are exempt from prescription charges will receive the medicine they require to treat their minor ailment free of charge. People who pay for their prescriptions will also be able to receive advice and buy the medicines they require and often many over the counter treatments cost less than the prescription charge.

Pharmacists and their staff are highly qualified, experienced healthcare professionals, trained to deal with minor ailments. They advise on conditions and recommend treatments or refer patients to other healthcare professionals and people using the new scheme will be able to get advice and treatment without an appointment.

Peter Melton, Clinical Chief Officer for North East Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group explained, “We encourage people to take care of themselves and treat their minor ailments and community pharmacists can now supply free medication for those who are eligible and direct the patient to other appropriate services. This will save people time, as they won’t have to get an appointment with their GP for a prescription.”

He added, “By making use of community pharmacy services, a Minor Ailment Scheme will provide many benefits to the provision of health care such as; reducing the demand for urgent care at A&E departments, reducing the burden on GPs, and continuing to provide quality patient care and increasing people’s choice for self-care.”

There are 37 community pharmacies in North East Lincolnshire that are easily accessible with many open for longer hours than GP surgeries. Providing consultations through community pharmacies aims to provide an efficient and convenient alternative to GP consultations.

This Minor Ailments Scheme is commissioned by NHS North East Lincolnshire CCG as part of their work supporting patient care.

For further information on the scheme please contact Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 0300 3000 500 email nelccg.askus@nhs.net or visit the website http://www.northeastlincolnshireccg.nhs.uk/choosewell/minor-ailments-scheme/

ENDS

For further information contact the North East Lincolnshire CCG Communications Team on 03300 249301.