Here’s how you can get the healthcare you need with so many people left playing the 8pm appointment lottery to see a doctor and struggling to get appointments with doctors
Brits face a challenge at most GP surgeries to get an appointment and here’s how to get the care you need without playing the 8am doctor’s appointment lottery.
More than 36% of us find it difficult to get a GP appointment for conditions we can self-treat, 77% believe we need to take more responsibility for our health to ease the strain on the NHS and 79% turn to A&E and GP agree Appointments should be kept for essential cases as per Self Defense Census 2024.
But what steps can we take to get the care we need? The Department of Health and Social Care launched the NHS Pharmacy First scheme in January. “This scheme allows patients to go to local pharmacies to get certain medicines and health advice, rather than waiting a long time for a GP appointment,” said Carolina Goncalves, Pharmica’s Superintendent Pharmacist.
Patients can receive advice and prescription-only medications, including antibiotics and antivirals, for conditions such as sore throats, sinusitis, UTIs, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles and earaches. Individuals can consult with pharmacies in person or to see if they can help. Along with their medical needs, GP receptionists, NHS 111 and other urgent care providers can refer people to pharmacies for the services they need.
Use online services
To skip the morning rush for a GP appointment, people can turn to online pharmacy services. Ms Goncalves shared: “These platforms offer free online consultations for various conditions such as erectile dysfunction, thrush, genital herpes, warts, colds, flu and skin diseases.”
“By visiting a reputable online pharmacy website, patients can complete a medical questionnaire about their symptoms and medical history. Qualified pharmacists and doctors can assess their condition and prescribe appropriate treatment.” This convenient option ensures quick access to needed medical care, with most companies offering same-day or next-day delivery. This allows busy people to take their medication home without having to take time off work for a GP visit.
Give over the counter medications
Mark Burden, a pharmacist and adviser to the PAGB, highlighted the availability of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in the UK for common conditions such as coughs, colds, sore throats and diarrhoea. InYourArea reported he stated: “The availability of OTC drugs has increased in recent years due to the shift from prescription-only to pharmacy-only and OTC. These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen ), heartburn medications, and [those that help with] Menopausal symptoms, migraines, thrush, colds, fungal infections and sexual dysfunction.”
Most supermarkets have late night pharmacies with details of opening hours on nhs.uk as well as the local pharmacy website. It is very important to remember that a doctor’s visit is often unnecessary unless there are exceptions for viral respiratory infections such as colds, covids and the flu. “Viral respiratory infections are best treated in the pharmacy with OTC medicines such as paracetamol and cough/cold solutions. As antibiotics do not work against viral infections the doctor does not prescribe more than that,” Mr Burden explained.
Don’t delay until things escalate
Mr. Burden cautioned against waiting for health conditions to worsen. He said: “Nip it in the bud by seeing your local pharmacist and getting immediate treatment if needed. Advice is available without a pharmacist appointment and is easy to access. Keep medicines to treat familiar conditions in your first aid kit, but always check the dates. .Before using the drug, you have to take responsibility for eating a healthy diet, not drinking too much alcohol, getting enough exercise, getting vaccinated, and getting regular health check-ups, but hopefully less.
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