Welsh pharmacist consults
March 8, 2012
THE Welsh Government is
expanding a scheme which allows
pharmacists to consult with
patients and dispense medicines
for minor ailments free of charge.
The Minor Ailments Scheme,
already operational in a smattering
of Welsh pharmacies, will be rolled
out to all pharmacies across the
country by 2013, and is designed to
free up doctors time, with
authorities saying that around 40%
of Welsh GP consultations are
taken up by people with minor
illnesses.
To take part, people will need to
register with their local pharmacy,
but will not need an appointment
to see the pharmacist.
Participating pharmacists will
consult with patients in private
over illnesses such as indigestion,
colds, conjunctivitis and hay fever,
with set medicines to be dispensed
for free, without a GP’s
prescription.
Consultations will take 15-20
minutes, and pharmacists will be
reimbursed for the dispensing of
medicines via their local health
board.
It is expected that pharmacists
will however refer patients on to a
doctor if they suspect the illness is
not minor.
Speaking to media about the
expansion, Welsh Health Minister
Lesley Griffiths said, “By visiting
pharmacists rather than GPs for
minor ailments, patients will not
need to make an appointment, but
they will still be able to get any
necessary medicine without
charge”.
“Ultimately, the service will
promote a more appropriate use of
GP and community pharmacy
skills,” she added.
The head of Community
Pharmacy Wales, Ian Cowan, also
spoke to media about the scheme,
saying “Such a service is extremely
good use of the medicines
expertise of pharmacists, as well as
the widespread ease of accessibility
of the 710 local pharmacies in
villages, towns and city centres
across the country”.
"This is the key to making
community pharmacies real health
centres," he added.
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