HEALTH MATTERS
●● DR Graham Duce, GP at Park Green Surgery, Macclesfield and NHS Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) clinical lead for antibiotic stewardship I WOULD like to take this opportunity to thank all the Eastern Cheshire residents who had their say on our draft policy to reduce the prescribing of over-the-counter medicines for minor conditions.
Almost 500 people completed our online survey and printed questionnaire and many more took the time to talk to our team at the numerous events we attended during the four-week engagement period, which ended on 14 September.
Encouragingly, more than 90 per cent of respondents were in favour of the draft policy and scores of people left supportive comments. We have reflected our residents’ views into the finalised policy, which is to be implemented this month.
The policy itself seeks to limit health professionals’ prescribing of medicines for conditions that get better on their own – such as coughs, colds and minor headaches – and which can be easily bought over-the-counter at shops or pharmacies.
This is because a consultation and prescription for a minor condition costs the NHS around £50, but if you buy medicines such as paracetamol and ibuprofen yourself, you could expect to pay no more than a few pounds, and it could be as little as 20p .
We expect that by implementing this policy:
• Every GP in Eastern Cheshire will have up to one hour a day freed up to see patients with more serious conditions
• Up to £47,000 a month in local NHS costs can be saved
• There will be a reduction in medicines waste. I won’t shy away from the fact that the CCG, like the NHS as a whole, is facing significant financial challenges and so we’re working with the public to make best use of the resources available – including asking patients to take as much responsibility as possible for their own health when they can.
And you can all help with this by following our ‘Three Bes’:
• Be prepared – with a well-stocked medicine cabinet
• Be self-care aware – recognise that many minor conditions get better on their own without prescription
• Be responsible – help yourself and the NHS by giving GPs more time to spend with people who are seriously ill.
For more information visit: www. easterncheshireccg.nhs. uk/minorconditions