Minor Ailment Scheme available in our Pharmacy

A new service for patients who do not pay NHS prescription charges

What is the Minor Ailment Scheme? Everyone can go to their pharmacist for free advice or to buy a medicine for a minor illness or ailment. The Minor Ailment Scheme is a new NHS service for people, including children, who do not pay prescription charges. This scheme allows you easier access to the same advice, treatment and medicines from your pharmacist as you would get from your GP, without having to wait for a GP appointment.

Who is the service for? You can use the service if you are registered with a GP surgery in Enfield and you do not pay for your prescriptions.

Why visit the pharmacy? Pharmacists are trained to treat minor ailments, you will not have to visit your GP for a prescription and your GP will be able to spend more time treating patients with more serious illnesses. This is a confidential and high quality service, designed to meet the needs of patients.

Which pharmacy can I go to? Any Pharmacy displaying a sign in their window that says they belong to the scheme or you can ask your GP practice for a list of participating pharmacies.

What will the pharmacist ask me? The pharmacist will ask you a range of questions about your symptoms, your current medication, history of ailment and any other illness you have. The answers will help the pharmacist to make a diagnosis and offer you advice and treatment.

Will I always get treatment for my ailment? You will definitely be given advice and treatment if necessary. The pharmacist may decide that you need to see a GP and refer you back without giving you any medicine.

Will I still be able to see a GP? Yes, if you want to you can still have an appointment to see the GP or nurse. This is just another way that you can get advice and treatment without waiting for an appointment with your GP. It is YOUR choice!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!! Your pharmacist is providing treatment and/or advice under the minor ailment scheme in line with the symptoms you have described. If your symptoms persist, you should seek further advice from your doctor.

How do I join the scheme? IF you have any of the minor ailments listed below and you do not pay NHS prescription charges, you are eligible to join this scheme:

• Athletes Foot
• Constipation
• Cough
• Cystitis
• Diarrhoea
• Earache
• Fever
• Hay Fever, allergic rhinitis, allergies
• Head lice
• Indigestion
• Insect bites/stings
• Mouth ulcers
• Sore throat
• Sprains/strains
• Teething
• Threadworm
• Vaginal Thrush
• Verrucas
• Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
• Warts

Please follow these steps to obtain your Minor Ailments passport which you can use up to 10 times:

• Go to your GP receptionist and ask for a Minor Ailment passport (one per patient). The receptionist will give you more information about how the scheme works and which pharmacies are taking part
• Take the passport to your chosen pharmacist
• The pharmacist will ask you a few questions and give you the appropriate advice and treatment

Do not share your medication with others even if they have similar symptoms.

Advice may also be obtained from: NHS Direct. Tel: 0845 4647 or at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk