7 reasons to make your local pharmacy your first port of call for healthcare

From colds and flu to tummy bugs and minor ailments, most of the everyday healthcare advice we need is available on your high street.

Your local community pharmacist, such as at Boots, can help with many of your everyday health concerns.

Pharmacists are experts in medicines and how they work, from complex prescription drugs to medicines available without prescriptions.

They are able to deal with most healthcare related queries you may have.

Here are seven reasons to make your local community pharmacy your first port of call for you and your family's everyday healthcare needs.

No need for an appointment

For healthcare advice you don’t need to book an appointment with a Boots pharmacist, so it’s often the quickest and most convenient way to take care of your health.

Just drop into your local branch, where the pharmacist will be happy to answer any questions about your health, wellbeing and medication.

If you need further help, the pharmacist will advise you where to go.

Fight flu

The free NHS flu jab is available in most Boots pharmacies in England and Wales (subject to availability and eligibility criteria. Eligibility may be different in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man).

Those in Scotland and Northern Ireland can, if eligible, get the free NHS flu jab through their GP.

A private Winter Flu Jab Service is also available in most Boots pharmacies across the UK (subject to pharmacist and stock availability. Other eligibility criteria and charges apply).

Safeguard your children from Meningitis B

The NHS currently offers a Meningitis B Vaccination as part of the routine childhood immunisations’ programme in the UK, with vaccinations given at eight and 16 weeks and at one year old.

Boots fully supports the NHS programme. Boots offers a private Meningitis B Vaccination Service for those between two and 21 years of age in selected stores. Eligibility criteria and charges apply. Subject to stock and pharmacist availability.

Support for those living with dementia

Boots can offer help and advice about most aspects of caring for an elderly relative, from everyday health issues to dealing with dementia, including help with understanding the disease and how to spot the early signs.

Boots is also a key supporter of the Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends initiative, which aims to change people’s attitudes towards the disease.

Every Boots team member is being urged to join the initiative.

Cancer and caring

Many Boots branches have Macmillan Information Pharmacists, through a groundbreaking partnership with the cancer charity.

They are specially trained to help support cancer sufferers and their families deal with health questions, as well as any emotional and practical issues that may arise.

Dealing with common children’s ailments

Mums and dads can find most of the help and advice they need to look after their kids’ everyday healthcare issues at their local Boots.

The team can help with common problems, such as dealing with nits, earache, conjunctivitis, colds and fever or sickness and diarrhoea.

ANGELA CHALMERS, BOOTS COMMUNITY PHARMACIST, OFFERS MEDICAL ADVICE

“One of the great things about working as a community pharmacist is that we get to see the walking well – not just the walking wounded.

People who are well are often more open to questions about their general health and wellbeing.

They may want advice about healthy eating and weight loss, or pregnancy. We also offer a number of services, as well as help with managing prescriptions.

Never feel you’re wasting the pharmacist’s time. Often people are unsure, and it helps that we can answer their questions. We can deal with most everyday health concerns, but if not, we will refer you to the right place, whether that’s the GP, the dentist, the chiropodist or your asthma nurse, for example.

One customer had just been prescribed insulin. She came in for advice. I kept in touch with her and made sure she was seeing her diabetes nurse regularly and eating healthily. Over the next few months, we managed to reduce her insulin intake. It’s very much a partnership with doctors.”

Angela is one of thousands of Boots pharmacists throughout the UK offering healthcare in the heart of the community.

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