People often visit their GP with minor illnesses that a local pharmacist could help with. Instead of booking a GP appointment, you can visit your local pharmacy , saving you time and with no appointment needed – you can just walk in.
Pharmacies across the North East and North Cumbria can now offer patients easy access to advice and treatments for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs).
The scheme, aimed at women aged 16-64, enables local community pharmacists to treat patients with a UTI without the need for a GP appointment or prescription.
UTIs are one of the most common bacterial infections seen in female patients, with over 40 percent of women likely to suffer from one in their lifetime. Symptoms include:
Burning or stinging sensation when passing urine
Needing to pass urine frequently or urgently
Cloudy urine
Passing excessive or large quantities of urine.
If you think you may have a UTI go to your local pharmacy first.
There are more than 435 pharmacies across the North East and North Cumbria signed up to offer support and treatment for UTIs.
Anyone. The service is available for all adults and children at participating pharmacies across the North East and North Cumbria.
Local community pharmacists are trained to treat common conditions. They offer a confidential and high-quality service designed to meet your needs. You can walk in, with no appointment needed, and speak in confidence. Most pharmacies have private consultation rooms available.
Most pharmacies across the North East and North Cumbria offer the common conditions service. Ask your local pharmacy for more details.
The pharmacist will ask you questions about:
your symptoms
your current medication
history of ailments
any other illness you have
The answers will help the pharmacist to advise and treat your condition.
You will be given treatment if necessary.
Your pharmacist may decide that you need further advice/treatment and can signpost you to another service or contact your GP practice directly to book you an appointment.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Your pharmacist will provide treatment and/or advice under the common conditions scheme, in line with the symptoms you have described. If your symptoms persist, you should seek further advice from your GP.
Step 1 – Pop along to your local pharmacy and talk to a health care professional about your illness and they will offer advice.
Step 2 - If you need treatment, the pharmacist will check your eligibility and whether the illness is covered by the service
Step 3 - A suitable medicine may be offered to you*
*Charges will apply if you normally pay for your prescriptions.
If you hold a medical exemption certificate, for example people under 16 or over 60, then you will not pay for the medicine as this service is funded by the NHS.
