Minor Ailments

What is the Doncaster Pharmacy Minor Ailments Clinic?

The clinics provide treatment for certain ailments, from an accredited pharmacist, as if they were on an FP10 prescription.

They are only available at participating pharmacies. Click here to find out availability at your nearest pharmacy.  Please call to check the relevant pharmacist is on duty before travelling to the pharmacy to avoid disappointment. 

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Who can attend the service?
When can I attend the clinic?
Registration?
Records?
How?
Dealing with minor ailments
Why go to the pharmacy for minor ailments?
Privacy
Things to remember

Who can attend the service?

• Any patient registered with a Doncaster Practice or those patients who routinely reside in Doncaster can attend with or without an appointment.

When can I attend the clinic?

• Any time the pharmacy is open but only when the accredited pharmacist is in attendance. The service will not operate on the accredited pharmacist’s day off or holidays. Check availability at: www.doncasterpct.nhs.uk/minorailments
• There is no need to see a GP first.

Registration?

• You do not need to register to access this service. However, the pharmacist will keep records of your name, address, date of birth, NHS number, practice number and any allergies known.

Records?

• The pharmacist will record a diagnosis, advice and treatment offered, and will also send this information to your GP on a regular basis for entry onto your practice records.

How?

• You will receive a sit down consultation with an accredited pharmacist in a consultation room.
• The pharmacist will only be able to supply medication listed in the Doncaster Minor Ailments for the ailments listed e.g. ibuprofen for period pain or acute low back pain but NOT for a headache, as headaches are not covered within the service.
• On some occasions you will receive advice and may not need medication.
• On all consultations you will be offered an information leaflet for the ailment.
• You may consult the pharmacist as often as you wish. However, the pharmacist may refer you to your GP if requesting treatment for the same ailment on two or more occasions within the same month.
• If the pharmacist is uncertain of a diagnosis, or is of the opinion that you need to seek medical advice, you will be referred to the GP or other health professional or requested to book an appointment.
• You can also seek an appointment with a GP for any of the minor ailment conditions, at any time.
• Medication will be free to FP10 NHS exempt patients. A normal prescription levy will be charged per item to non-exempt patients.

Dealing with minor ailments

• Lots of minor ailments can be self-treated safely and effectively with advice andmedicine from the pharmacy. You may be surprised which conditions can be treated effectively by a pharmacist rather than waiting to see a GP.

Why go to the pharmacy for minor ailments?

• You don't need an appointment.
• It may be quicker to consult your pharmacist than to wait for an appointment with your GP.
• However, the service may only operate when a named accredited pharmacist is on duty.
• Many pharmacists are situated conveniently within your community.

Privacy
Apart from sharing information with your GP, all details you give to the pharmacist are completely confidential. Consultations will take place in a private consultation room.

Things to remember:

• Let the pharmacist know if you are pregnant, or breastfeeding as some medicines may not be suitable for you.
• If your symptoms continue you should seek advice from your GP.
• Keep all medicines out of reach of children. You can take unwanted medicines to the pharmacy for safe disposal.
• Your pharmacist can advise you on how to stay healthy.
• Inform the pharmacist of all medicines you are currently taking. Be ready to tell the pharmacist:
• What your symptoms are.
• How long the symptoms have been present.
• Any other medicines you are taking.
• Of any known allergies.
  Click here to view the new Minor Ailments leaflet.