Winter help for unwell residents on offer from community pharmacies

People living in Monklands can get a wide range of help if they are unwell this winter from their local community pharmacist.

Pharmacists across the area are delivering the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service, designed to encourage everyone to visit their community pharmacy as the first port of call for all minor illnesses.

And as health services across the region remain under pressure, the Pharmacy First Service has expanded to cover a wider range of services and conditions.

For example, pharmacists can offer advice and provide medication if necessary for infections including bacterial skin infections and shingles in adults, minor cuts and burns, cconstipation or diarrhoea, acne and eczema, allergies, aches and pains, cystitis (in women), runny nose, coughs and sore throat, and indigestion.

Speaking about the Pharmacy First service, George Lindsay, chief pharmacist primary care, said:“the service offers a way for local people to get treatment for a wide range of conditions that they might normally visit a nurse or doctor for – and often no appointment is necessary.

“Pharmacies are often easy to get to; we’re there to be used as a‘first port of call’for all minor illnesses.”