We are participating in a new approach to improve access for patiennts to GP appointments. The aim is to direct patients to the most appropriate healthcare professional, which may be a GP or a pharmacist.
From 19th June 2023, if your symptoms could be resolved by a booked consultation with the pharmacist instead of the GP, you will be given a same-day referral to a local pharmacy.
We think this is a good thing. Once you see how great the local pharmacist is - they are highly trained and skilled clinicians, experienced in treating minor illnesses - we don't think you'll look back.
This will also help us to free up GP appointments for people with more complex health needs and ensure that everyone gets treated at the right time, by the right healthcare professional.
To support this, we have asked the reception team to ask you a few questions about the reason you are calling.
We are keen to hear what you think and will be listening to your comments and feedback about your experience of using this service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this new service about?
From 19th June 2023, when you call the practice, you will be asked about your symptoms. If they indicate that you can be best helped by a pharmacist, you will be offered a same day private consultation with a community pharmacist at Prince of Wales Pharmacy.
Community pharmacists have already successfully seen thousands of patients for a consultation for a minor illness, following a call to NHS 111. This new way of arranging consultation with the pharmacist by a GP practice, has been successsfully piloted around the country.
Why are you doing this?
Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals and experts in medicines. They can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for all sorts of minor illnesses, and a same day consultation can be arranged quickly for you.
This is turn frees up GP appointments for those people with more complex symptoms.
What happens when I see the community pharmacist?
We will share your personal details with the pharmacist and details of your minor illness, the pharmacist will contact you to arrange your consultation on the same day.
You may be seen in person in a private consultation room, if the pharmacist thinks it is appropriate, or your consultation may be carried out over the phone or via video. You will be asked about your medical history, symptoms and current medication, in the same way the GP would ask you about them.
Usually, the pharamcist will provide you with advice and can see you over-the-counter products where needed, if you choose. They will also send details of your consultation back to us for our records.
If the pharmacist feels you need to be seen by a GP urgently, they will call us to ensure you are seen, or they will advise you to contact the Emergency Department if deemed necessary. You may also be referred back to us to arrange a non-urgent appointment or follow up.
What if I get free prescriptions from my GP?
Your pharmacist will provide you with advice on how to treat your symptoms, which may include medicine or product. Medicines that can be purchased in a pharmacy to treat minor illnesses, are usually inexpensive and would not normally be prescribed by your GP. You are free to choose if you wish to make a purchase or not.
What happens if I don't want to see the pharmacist?
We want to ensure that you are offered an appointment with the most appropriate qualified healthcare professional based on your symptoms. If you have minor illness symptoms that can be treated the same day through a consultation with a qualified community pharmacist, but do not want to accept this referral, you will be offered a routine appointment with your GP at a future date.
What if the patient is my child?
Children aged over one years are eligible to use this service and can be seen by the pharmacist. Children who are able to make their own decisions about their health may be seen unaccompanied.
Why is this a good thing for patients?
Community pharmacists are local, open longer hours than the GP practice and can offer you the same consultation outcome. If the pharmacist thinks you need to see the GP, they can help to arrange an urgent appointment for you.
Patients who have already used this service like the convenience of having a consultation on the same day, or a day that suited them, at the pharmacy. 78% of people who had a consultation with a community pharmacist were successfully helped.