You will receive advice and free treatment from your community pharmacist for twenty-seven common minor illnesses and ailments such as:

You don’t have to make an appointment. You can come along at a time that suits you.

Local GP surgeries or NHS 111 might also refer you to the pharmacy for this service. This service aims to increase utilisation of community pharmacist skills by providing self care through the pharmacy. It also increases patient choice, convenience and access to treatment for minor ailments so you do not need to visit your GP or go to A&E.

Your consultation will always be with a qualified pharmacist and will take place in a confidential area within the pharmacy. If we agree that you need a medicine or product to treat your symptoms we can supply it to you free of charge.

You will still have to go to your GP if:

• Your pharmacist suggests that you should, or
• You need a medicine that you can only get on prescription from your GP.

"Can I still go to my GP?"

You can still make an appointment with your GP if you feel this is more suitable.

"Can I still go to other pharmacies?"

You can use other pharmacies to buy medicines or to pick up your prescriptions but remember;

• You can only use the service at the community pharmacy you are registered at; and
• It is safer if only one pharmacy has a record of all the medicines you are taking so that they can be sure that if your health changes your medicines are still suitable for you. If your pharmacist feels that it is better for you to see your GP or another healthcare professional then they may tell you to make an appointment.

If you or someone you look after requires this service, please enquire at the pharmacy for the minor ailment scheme.

"What information will be kept about me?"

• The community pharmacy that you are registered with will record your name, address, date of birth, details of the ailment that you presented and any advice or medicines given.
• If you access the service in the future, details of previous consultations will be available to the pharmacist in the pharmacy where you are seeking treatment or advice. This may be a different pharmacy to the one you have used previously. This is to help them decide whether you can be treated safely by the pharmacist or whether you need to see a GP.
• Details on your consultations will be available to your GP to help them provide you with care.
• Your information may be used by NHS Wales staff responsible for ensuring the pharmacy has been paid correctly for the services provided. Your records will only be used where appropriate and necessary, and wherever possible information that does not identify you will be used.
• If you have any concerns or want more information about the way your information is used you should discuss these with your pharmacist.
• To find out why NHS Wales collects information about you and how this information may be used ask your pharmacist for a copy of the leaflet “Your information, Your rights, What you need to know” or visit: www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/pdfs/V2YourInformationyourrights.PDF 

"What if I’m not happy with the service?"

Firstly speak to your pharmacist, or if you are still not happy, please contact the Local Health Board