Why you should visit your local pharmacy for minor health concerns this winter
From temporary aches and pains to sore throats or skin rashes, booking an appointment with your GP might seem like the obvious first choice to handle those health hiccups we all face every now and again.
But did you know that, for most minor ailments, you can get easy and convenient access to help from your local Boots pharmacist?
Trusted Boots pharmacists are on hand to offer clinical advice and recommend an over-the-counter treatment, if appropriate for many common conditions.
They can answer questions you may have about medicines and how they work, from prescription medicines to remedies for coughs and colds or pain relief.
If symptoms suggest it's something more serious, Boots pharmacists can signpost you to a different healthcare provider or service to get the right help. This might be a GP, your local out-of-hours service, or an alternative provider.
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There are over 4,400 pharmacists working in Boots stores across the UK, meaning there may be someone on hand to help close to home - with over 80% of people in England within a 10-minute drive of a Boots pharmacy.
Depending on pharmacist availability, you can usually walk in and get the healthcare advice you need.
Search for your local Boots pharmacy today (Boots)Here are six reasons why your local Boots pharmacy is a great place for health advice this winter:
1. Advice on minor ailments and illnesses
Boots pharmacy team members can provide advice and, if appropriate, recommend treatment for a range of common conditions and minor injuries, such as:
Aches and pains
Sore throat
Coughs
Colds
Flu
Earache
Cystitis
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Skin rashes
Teething
Eye infection
Minor cuts and grazes
Strains and sprains
If you want to buy an over-the-counter medicine, the pharmacist and their team can help you find one that's suitable for you.
2. Help with your medicines
As well as offering you support with minor health concerns, Boots pharmacists can also help you manage your medicines.
If there’s been a change in the medication you’re taking to help treat a long-term health condition, or you’ve been prescribed a new medication, you may have questions.
A pharmacist will be able to help you get the most out of your medicines, and may be able to help if you have run out of a regularly prescribed medicine.
If you need advice about pharmacy medicines, or want to know whether a particular medicine is available in a bigger pack size, speak to the pharmacy team.
The NHS' free New Medicine Service is also now available across England.
*Subject to availability, eligibility criteria apply. Click here for more information and full T&Cs.
3. Convenient online prescriptions
Save time with the free Boots Online Prescriptions service*. Order and track your prescriptions online and collect them from a Boots pharmacy of your choice, anywhere in the UK.
If you’re located and registered with a GP in England, you can have it delivered for free. However, the option to collect in-store is available for all customers registered in the UK. Boots will let you know when your order is on the way or ready to collect, and remind you next time you need to reorder.
When it comes to prescriptions, you can also speak to a Boots pharmacist. If you are having any problems with medicines or experiencing side effects, they may be able to help.
The pharmacy team can also help with the disposal of unwanted or out-of-date medicines.
*Subject to availability. Prescription charges may apply. Full T&Cs can be found here.
4. Out-of-hours service
With some Boots pharmacies open for extended hours, many patients have more time to pick up prescriptions, buy over-the-counter medicines, or drop in for advice and support.
Most Boots pharmacies are open on weekends - and over 60 of them across the country are open until midnight from Monday to Saturday.
You can also access information at any time using the Boots Health Hub.
You can get access to advice on a range of healthcare issues (Boots)5. Advice on a range of healthcare issues
As well as helping to manage minor health concerns, Boots pharmacy teams may be able to offer health and wellbeing advice on a range of issues, including:
Emergency contraception
Asthma inhaler use and advice
Chlamydia screening and treatment
Stop smoking
Blood pressure
Substance misuse service, including needle and syringe exchange schemes
Weight management
Most Boots pharmacies also have a private consultation room where you can discuss your health concerns with pharmacy staff without being overheard.
6. Winter Flu Jab Service
The free NHS - or other locally funded - flu jab is available in most Boots pharmacies** in England and Wales, some Boots pharmacies in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Jersey, and in Boots' Isle of Man pharmacy.
Eligibility criteria apply and include those aged 65 and over, as well as those aged 18 and above who are carers, are pregnant, or in a clinical risk group; for example, those who have diabetes, a heart condition, or asthma treated with a preventer inhaler.
You can book an appointment to have a winter flu jab at a time and place that's convenient for you.
A private Winter Flu Jab Service is also available in most Boots pharmacies across the UK - subject to pharmacist and stock availability. Eligibility criteria and charges apply.
Find the right healthcare advice for you at boots.com/healthhub
**Subject to availability. Eligibility criteria vary with locality. Some people who do not meet the requirements for a free NHS - or other locally funded - flu jab in pharmacies can access the flu jab from their GP or in Scotland, at a vaccination centre. Speak to a member of Boots' pharmacy team or see boots.com/flu for more details.
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