Self-help guides: NHS Inform
Advice about minor illnesses, treatments and medication: Pharmacy
Non-urgent treatment: GP
Urgent, but not life-threatening, help: NHS24 at 111
In a life-threatening emergency, always call 999.
Community pharmacies across Scotland are extending access to rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing kits for people without COVID-19 symptoms.
The expansion, which began yesterday (Wednesday 9 June) is aimed at encouraging further uptake of testing among people with no symptoms and finding cases which would otherwise go undetected.
It builds on current efforts in place to improve access to rapid lateral flow devices (LFDs) for people without COVID-19 symptoms, by making it easier for people without access to digital services.
Free packs are available to be collected from participating pharmacies, with each containing seven devices which can provide results in around 30 minutes.
People with symptoms of COVID-19 should not enter pharmacies to collect self-test kits or use a LFD and must instead self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test at NHS Inform.
Heath Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “Testing has a vital role to play as we move safely out of lockdown and this rollout of testing kits to pharmacies for the public to drop in and pick up helps build on our strategy to tackle COVID-19.
“It would be a mistake to think that the successful delivery of the vaccination programme means testing becomes less important. The evidence suggests vaccination provides strong protection, but does not yet guarantee you can’t still get the virus and pass it on.
“Around one in three people with COVID-19 do not show any symptoms and rapid lateral flow testing is already helping us identify new cases. The ability to quickly identify new outbreaks and put appropriate measures in place will remain at the heart of our strategy to help break chains of transmission.
“Regular, rapid testing is already available to people in a wide range of settings, including schools and communities where rates remain high and everyone should access testing regularly.”
People can find out which pharmacies are taking part by going to NHS inform, following a link and entering their postcode.
Anyone with symptoms, such as a cough, fever or loss of taste or smell should self-isolate immediately and book a PCR (polymarese chain reaction) test.
Rapid LFD test kits, which can be used from home for people to test themselves twice-weekly, are already available for pick-up without an appointment from many local walk-in, or drive-through test sites, or by ordering online, or by phone.
Professor Harry McQuillan from Community Pharmacy Scotland said: “The community pharmacy network across Scotland provides access to NHS services close to people’s homes at the heart of our communities.
“This distribution service further enhances the ongoing testing programme and builds upon the community pharmacy teams role in supporting Scotland’s public health response to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald, has praised pharmacies across the city for helping to rollout rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing kits for people without COVID-19 symptoms.
The expansion which began yesterday (Wednesday 9 June) is aimed at encouraging further uptake of testing among people with no symptoms and finding cases which would otherwise go undetected.
This is building on current efforts to improve access to rapid lateral flow devices for people without COVID-19 symptoms, by making it easier for people without access to digital services.
Among the many pharmacies who have voluntarily signed up to participate in the expansion are Colinton Pharmacy, MacKinnon Pharmacy, Lloyds Pharmacy Wester Hailes, Lloyds Pharmacy Calder Road, Gate 55 Sighthill Road, Colinton Mains Pharmacy, Lindsay and Gilmour Chemist Juniper Green, Calder Pharmacy, Oxgangs Pharmacy and Boots Pharmacy Buckstone Terrace.
SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald said: “This is very welcome news and I am sure will be a source of great help to so many people across the city.
“Rapid lateral flow testing is already helping to pick up news case so all efforts to increase LFDs will help even more. This, in turn, helps to identify new outbreaks and put in place mitigating measures to reduce transmission as quickly as possible.
“I would like to thank all the community pharmacies across Edinburgh Pentlands, and right across the city, who are participating in this rollout. Community pharmacies have, and continue to, play a key role in supporting Scotland’s public health response to the Covid-19 pandemic by providing access to NHS services close to people’s homes and lives.”
There are 1,258 community pharmacies across Scotland that are eligible to sign up for the service. Participation is voluntary and it is for pharmacy owners to opt-in to provide the service.
NHS 24 is reminding people who take regular medication to make sure their repeat prescription is top of their Christmas list.
The reminder is part of the winter health campaign ‘Show you care. Prepare’ which encourages people to take care of themselves, their loved ones and the NHS by being prepared for winter ailments.
This year will see four day festive and Hogmanay breaks when opening times at GP practices and community pharmacies will be different so it’s important that people check their prescription, order only what they need and in plenty of time.
NHS 24’s Head of Pharmacy, John McAnaw said: “This can be a really busy time of the year but it’s important that we all take time to think about our health, do what we can to stay well and be prepared for winter ailments. That way we’ll also be doing our bit to support the NHS through the busy winter period.
“Things like paracetamol, ibuprofen and indigestion remedies are useful to have at home and you can ask your pharmacist for advice about winter health and medicines. It’s also a good idea to keep child friendly remedies at home if you have any wee ones.
“Winter can always throw up a surprise, especially in terms of weather so don’t leave it to the last minute to order and pick up your repeat prescription.
“Check what you have, and order only what you need and collect it in plenty of time – you should order by Monday 21st December at the latest to be sure of having your medicines ready before Christmas.”
General advice and information on how to stay healthy this winter can be found at www.nhsinform.scot/winter
GPs and Pharmacists across Greater Glasgow and Clyde have faced a high demand for prescriptions since the COVID-19 outbreak began and the country’s biggest health board is urging patients to not request or fill unnecessary repeat prescriptions.
It’s an appeal that will be echoed across the country.
GP practices and community pharmacies continue to operate. Patients are asked to phone in the first instance for any queries that are not coronavirus-related. For any patients with coronavirus symptoms, they are urged to consult NHS Inform or call NHS24 on 111.
Alan Harrison, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “A huge thank you to all GP practice and community pharmacy teams who continue to care for patients in extremely challenging circumstances.
“But they are facing an unnecessary strain because individuals are requesting and filling prescriptions when they do not need to.
“That’s why we’re asking the public to please help us and not order unnecessary prescriptions. We’re all in this together.”
Community pharmacists are to perform an enhanced role during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Pharmacists will be able to support more patients, reducing the pressure on other parts of NHS Scotland through the extension of the Minor Ailment Service.
The Scottish Government has also accelerated plans to expand access to Emergency Care Summary (ECS) data, which mainly contains medication information, to pharmacists.
Health Boards have been asked to provide access to this information to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in communities.
More than a thousand community pharmacies provide a range of NHS Pharmaceutical Care services on behalf of the NHS in Scotland.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “The vital work of community pharmacies up and down the country is key in ensuring that we continue to reduce the burden across the NHS, and patients continue to get the necessary medicines they need to stay healthy.
“Many people visit a community pharmacy every day, with these numbers increasing in the current COVID-19 outbreak.
“This makes them the most accessible healthcare professionals on the front line of community health services, and a valuable resource to NHS Scotland.
“Strengthening the role of pharmacists, and easing some of the pressure from frontline NHS services, is therefore an important step in our wide ranging response to the current crisis.”
A new self-help guide to help people with winter coughs has been launched on Scotland’s health information website NHS inform. Continue reading New self-help guide for people with coughs
NHS 24 is calling on the public to remember to check their repeat prescription in time for the Easter holidays. This year, Easter falls between Friday 14 April and Monday 17 April and while some GP surgeries may be open, others will be closed. Continue reading Easter Holidays: Remember to check your repeat prescription
PEOPLE across Scotland are being encouraged to Be Health-Wise This Winter and know when their GP surgery is open over the festive holidays.
Dr Owl – the wise and memorable character from the campaign – is advising people to be aware that GP surgeries will be open on Wednesday 24 December, before closing for four days – Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 December. They will then reopen on Monday 29 December.
GP surgeries will then follow normal opening hours until closing again on Thursday 1 January, re-opening again on Monday 5 January.
As well as knowing the holiday opening and closure times of your local GP, people are also being urged to make sure they have cold and flu remedies to treat common winter ailments and to plan ahead for any required repeat prescriptions.
Professor George Crooks, Medical Director of NHS 24, said: “Many GP surgeries will be closed for four days over Christmas and again at New Year, so it is essential that everyone is prepared and knows exactly when their local services are available and how to access them.”
He added: “If you are unlucky enough to get a cough, cold or flu, buying over the counter medicine, staying at home and keeping warm will make you feel much better. And remember that many pharmacies will be open over the festive period. Your local pharmacist is a good source of information and you don’t need an appointment to speak to them.”
The national Be Health-Wise this Winter campaign is supported by NHS Scotland in partnership with NHS 24, the Scottish Ambulance Service and all 14 Scottish Health Boards.
Many GPs will be working hard throughout the festive period supporting local Out of Hours services and the Be Health-Wise This Winter campaign has the backing of the British Medical Association (BMA) in Scotland.
General advice and information on how to stay healthy this winter can be found at www.nhsinform.co.uk/winter or contact NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88.
Check you have cold and flu remedies
Many children and adults pick up common winter ailments such as a cold or flu-like illness. These can often be effectively treated at home with readily available medicine. Parents are reminded to restock their medicine cabinet with remedies suitable for children.
Use your local pharmacy
Your local pharmacy is an accessible resource for you and your family. Your pharmacist can offer health and medicines advice or help you if you have run out of any regularly prescribed medicine. You can also collect medicines to treat a range of minor ailments or illnesses.
Make sure you have enough of your repeat prescriptions. If not, only order what you need and pick it up in plenty of time.
If you, or someone you care for, require medicines regularly, check that you have enough and if you need more remember to order and collect repeat prescriptions in good time to ensure you or your family have enough medicine to last over the Christmas holiday period. Remember, only order what you need.
Know when your GP surgery and local pharmacy will be open
Your local GP surgery will be open on Wednesday December 24 and will then reopen on Monday 29 December. This means there are four days when it is closed – Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 December.
GP surgeries will then follow normal opening hours until closing again on Thursday 1 January, re-opening again on Monday 5 January.
