Check your blood pressure
The only way of knowing whether you have high blood pressure is to have a blood pressure test.
All adults over 40 are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every 5 years. Getting this done is easy and could save your life.
You can get your blood pressure tested at a number of places, including at our pharmacies. If you've not been diagnosed with high blood pressure and would like to get yours checked, contact or visit one of our branches.
If we find any potential signs of high blood pressure, we will refer you to your GP for further investigation and treatment if appropriate.
This service is for the provision of free Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) to females aged between 13 to 18 years
The aims of this service are to:
improve access to emergency contraception, safer sex and sexual health advice
reduce the number of unintended pregnancies
refer all customers to further support for accessing mainstream contraceptive services for ongoing contraceptive needs
increase the knowledge of risks associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
refer customers at risk of STIs to an appropriate service
increase knowledge, especially among young people, of the availability of EHC from pharmacies
This is an opportunity for our pharmacist to discuss and review the medicines you are taking to ensure you are using them correctly and getting the maximum benefit. We will explain clearly and simply, without any medical jargon, what they are for and the conditions they treat and identify any possible side effects that you may be experiencing. We will listen to you and any problems you are having with your medicines, provide advice and support and if necessary contact your Doctor to discuss any issues that arise from our conversation.
An MUR can help:
- improve your understanding of the medicines you are taking;
- highlight problematic side effects and propose solutions where appropriate;
- improve adherence
- reduce medicines wastage, usually by helping you only order the medicines you need
Our pharmacist may be able to conduct an MUR over the telephone or for eligible patient
We take part in the Common Ailments Scheme which helps people who don't usually have to pay for NHS prescriptions access medicines for common minor ailments, free of charge.
Simply walk in to our pharmacy and ask for advice; you do not need to make an appointment.
Pharmacy staff will be able to make a diagnosis and offer you advice and treatment. The pharmacist may decide that you need to see a doctor and refer you to your GP, without giving you any medicine.
Treatment for common ailments
Common ailments treated under this scheme:
- cold sores
- conjunctivitis
- constipation
- cough
- cystitis
- diarrhoea
- earache
- fever
- fungal skin infections
- headache
- head lice
- hay fever
- indigestion
- insect bites / stings
- mild eczema / dry skin
- nasal congestion
- sore throat
- sprains/strains
- threadworms
- vaginal thrush
You can qualify for this scheme if you:
- are 60 or over
- are under 16
- are 16-18 and in full-time education
- have a valid maternity exemption certificate
- have a valid medical exemption certificate
- hold a valid War Pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability
- are named on, a current HC2 charges certificate: get Income Support or Income related Jobseeker's Allowance; Income-related Employment and Support Allowance; Pension Credit Guarantee Credit are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate
- have a partner who gets Pension Credit guarantee credit (PCGC)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to visit a GP for treatment of common ailments?
Not always. You can visit your local pharmacist for expert advice and receive a recommendation for a medicine to treat your common ailment where appropriate.
Why go to your pharmacist first?
Pharmacists are trained to deal with common minor ailments, and this benefits patients because they receive expert advice in the pharmacy, when they need it, without the need to make an appointment with their GP. GP appointments can then be used for patients with more complicated symptoms.
What is the Common Ailments Scheme?
The Common Ailments Scheme is a service for anyone who is registered with a GP in West Kent who doesn't pay for NHS prescriptions. This includes children. It enables them to get advice and some medications free of charge from their pharmacy.
The pharmacist will ask questions about:
- your or your child's symptoms
- your current medication
- history of the ailment
- any other illness you have.
Will I still be able to see a GP?
Yes, if you want to you can still have an appointment to see the GP or nurse. The Common Ailments Scheme is just another way that you can get advice and treatment without waiting for an appointment with your GP.
Important Information
You should not share your medication with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms. If your symptoms persist, you should seek further advice from your doctor.
Remember you are only entitled to treatment free of charge if you are eligible for free NHS prescriptions. If not, you can still obtain the same advice free of charge but will need to pay for your medicines.
The common ailments scheme is provided by NHS West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). For more information about the role and responsibilities of the CCG please visit the NHS West Kent CCG website.
Need medical help fast?
Call 111 when you need medical help fast but it's not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
Life-threatening emergency?
If the illness or injury is life-threatening, don't hesitate. Call 999 straight away.
For STATION PHARMACY add to NHS Services with title‘Care at the Chemist'
Care at the Chemist
Did you know that you can get free, fast and expert health advice at our pharmacy?
Our Care at the Chemist scheme is the quickest and easiest way to get advice and treatment from a health professional for a wide range of everyday illnesses and ailments – without even setting foot in your doctor's surgery.
So, if you have a common or minor health problem, Care at the Chemist is for you. You don't need an appointment and you'll find a chemist close to home, with many open early until late.
Medicines are free for anyone who does not pay for their prescriptions – all you need is proof of exemption. Those who do pay will be charged the current prescription charge. If the medicine costs less to buy over the counter than the prescription charge, you will pay the lower rate.
Here is the range of common, everyday illnesses and ailments that are included in the scheme:
- Athlete's foot
- Cold sores
- Conjunctivitis
- Constipation
- Contact dermatitis
- Coughs & colds
- Cystitis
- Diarrhoea
- Dry eyes
- Ear wax
- Fever
- Haemorrhoids (piles)
- Hayfever& allergies
- Head lice
- Headache
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Infant colic
- Insect bites/stings
- Nappy rash
- Nasal congestion
- Pain
- Scabies
- Sore throat
- Sprains & strains
- Teething
- Threadworm
- Toothache
- Thrush
- Warts and verrucas
BROADWAY PHARMACY add under NHS Services with title ‘Pharmacy First’
Pharmacy First
Pharmacy First is a service available to patients in Walsall to access self-care advice for the treatment of minor ailments and where appropriate, can be supplied with over the counter (OTC) and Pharmacy (P) medicines at NHS expense without the requirement to attend a GP appointment.
There are a limited number of conditions covered by the service and the will differ depending on the age of the patient and patients may only access the service up to three times in a year.
Self Care
From coughs, colds and sore throats to upset stomachs, aches and pains, self-care at home is the best choice to treat very minor illnesses, ailments and injuries.
A big part of your recovery from these minor ailments is to rest and drink plenty of fluids. You can plan ahead by stocking up on some healthcare essentials – paracetamol or aspirin, indigestion remedies and plasters for example. You can find all these at your local pharmacy. If you are ill and don't have these in your house, ask a friend, family member or carer to get them on your behalf.
NHS repeat prescriptions
When you are prescribed a new medicine by your doctor our pharmacists can offer support and advice to ensure you take the new medication as prescribed without suffering any unwanted side effects or explain any further questions you may have. We usually do this by keeping in contact with you during the first 4 weeks of your new medicine being prescribed.
The service is only available for people living in England, and only for those who have been prescribed a new medicine for the conditions listed:
- asthma
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- type 2 diabetes
- high blood pressure
- people who have been given a new blood-thinning medicine
The NMS can help:
- improve your adherence (taking your medicines correctly) which will generally lead to better health outcomes
- increase your engagement with your condition and medicines, supporting you to make decisions about your treatment and self-management
- reduce medicines wastage
- reduce hospital admissions due to adverse events from medicines
Prescription collection from local GP surgeries
Prescription delivery service
The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats we have ever faced, killing more than 8 million people a year around the world. According to the NHS, in the UK alone, smoking kills over 80,000 people every year and a further 500,000 people are admitted into hospital as a direct result of smoking.
Smoking has been linked to countless conditions from depression, infertility and asthma, to the more serious conditions such as lung cancer, emphysema and heart disease. It’s really not surprising that this is the case when you consider how many harmful substances there are in a cigarette. They have thousands of different chemicals, some of which are carcinogenic (cancer causing), and examples of others being acetone (used as nail polish remover), lead and cadmium (a highly toxic metal.)
The truth of the matter is, we all know how bad smoking is for our health, and a majority of smokers will say that they want to quit but giving up can be hard. Especially without the right help and support. That’s where our friendly and professional staff come in!
There is now more support than ever before, not just in the form of information, but also products designed to reduce cravings and to fight off any of the horrible withdrawal symptoms. One of the developments has been the introduction of Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT.) There are a variety of NRT products available:
- Patches
- Gum
- Inhalators
- Mouth Sprays
- Nasal Sprays
- Tablets
- Lozenges
Smoking is addictive because of the nicotine in cigarettes. That is why it is hard to quit. By starting one or even a combination of the above therapies, they will give a smoker a dose of nicotine in their blood. This reduces the nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings, whilst they break away from the psychological habit of smoking.
Our staff can advise you on the best way to kick your smoking habit. By coming in to our store our trained pharmacist will provide you with a free consultation, asking you questions such as how many cigarettes you smoke in a day and what triggers the need for a cigarette etc. By determining your ‘level of nicotine addiction’ the pharmacist will then be able to offer their advice on what they think would work best for you.
The pharmacist may even offer advice in other forms, for example, letting you know about any local support groups, advising you to take up a hobby or even suggesting a routine to start you off.
The benefit of having this support is that we are there 7 days a week whenever you need help, or even just a friendly professional to speak with. It is a proven fact that if you receive support while trying to stop smoking your chance for success is greatly increased.
Check your blood pressure
The only way of knowing whether you have high blood pressure is to have a blood pressure test.
All adults over 40 are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every 5 years. Getting this done is easy and could save your life.
You can get your blood pressure tested at a number of places, including at our pharmacies. If you've not been diagnosed with high blood pressure and would like to get yours checked, contact or visit one of our branches.
If we find any potential signs of high blood pressure, we will refer you to your GP for further investigation and treatment if appropriate.
This service is for the provision of free Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) to females aged between 13 to 18 years
The aims of this service are to:
improve access to emergency contraception, safer sex and sexual health advice
reduce the number of unintended pregnancies
refer all customers to further support for accessing mainstream contraceptive services for ongoing contraceptive needs
increase the knowledge of risks associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
refer customers at risk of STIs to an appropriate service
increase knowledge, especially among young people, of the availability of EHC from pharmacies
This is an opportunity for our pharmacist to discuss and review the medicines you are taking to ensure you are using them correctly and getting the maximum benefit. We will explain clearly and simply, without any medical jargon, what they are for and the conditions they treat and identify any possible side effects that you may be experiencing. We will listen to you and any problems you are having with your medicines, provide advice and support and if necessary contact your Doctor to discuss any issues that arise from our conversation.
An MUR can help:
- improve your understanding of the medicines you are taking;
- highlight problematic side effects and propose solutions where appropriate;
- improve adherence
- reduce medicines wastage, usually by helping you only order the medicines you need
Our pharmacist may be able to conduct an MUR over the telephone or for eligible patient
We take part in the Common Ailments Scheme which helps people who don't usually have to pay for NHS prescriptions access medicines for common minor ailments, free of charge.
Simply walk in to our pharmacy and ask for advice; you do not need to make an appointment.
Pharmacy staff will be able to make a diagnosis and offer you advice and treatment. The pharmacist may decide that you need to see a doctor and refer you to your GP, without giving you any medicine.
Treatment for common ailments
Common ailments treated under this scheme:
- cold sores
- conjunctivitis
- constipation
- cough
- cystitis
- diarrhoea
- earache
- fever
- fungal skin infections
- headache
- head lice
- hay fever
- indigestion
- insect bites / stings
- mild eczema / dry skin
- nasal congestion
- sore throat
- sprains/strains
- threadworms
- vaginal thrush
You can qualify for this scheme if you:
- are 60 or over
- are under 16
- are 16-18 and in full-time education
- have a valid maternity exemption certificate
- have a valid medical exemption certificate
- hold a valid War Pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability
- are named on, a current HC2 charges certificate: get Income Support or Income related Jobseeker's Allowance; Income-related Employment and Support Allowance; Pension Credit Guarantee Credit are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate
- have a partner who gets Pension Credit guarantee credit (PCGC)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to visit a GP for treatment of common ailments?
Not always. You can visit your local pharmacist for expert advice and receive a recommendation for a medicine to treat your common ailment where appropriate.
Why go to your pharmacist first?
Pharmacists are trained to deal with common minor ailments, and this benefits patients because they receive expert advice in the pharmacy, when they need it, without the need to make an appointment with their GP. GP appointments can then be used for patients with more complicated symptoms.
What is the Common Ailments Scheme?
The Common Ailments Scheme is a service for anyone who is registered with a GP in West Kent who doesn't pay for NHS prescriptions. This includes children. It enables them to get advice and some medications free of charge from their pharmacy.
The pharmacist will ask questions about:
- your or your child's symptoms
- your current medication
- history of the ailment
- any other illness you have.
Will I still be able to see a GP?
Yes, if you want to you can still have an appointment to see the GP or nurse. The Common Ailments Scheme is just another way that you can get advice and treatment without waiting for an appointment with your GP.
Important Information
You should not share your medication with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms. If your symptoms persist, you should seek further advice from your doctor.
Remember you are only entitled to treatment free of charge if you are eligible for free NHS prescriptions. If not, you can still obtain the same advice free of charge but will need to pay for your medicines.
The common ailments scheme is provided by NHS West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). For more information about the role and responsibilities of the CCG please visit the NHS West Kent CCG website.
Need medical help fast?
Call 111 when you need medical help fast but it's not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
Life-threatening emergency?
If the illness or injury is life-threatening, don't hesitate. Call 999 straight away.
For STATION PHARMACY add to NHS Services with title‘Care at the Chemist'
Care at the Chemist
Did you know that you can get free, fast and expert health advice at our pharmacy?
Our Care at the Chemist scheme is the quickest and easiest way to get advice and treatment from a health professional for a wide range of everyday illnesses and ailments – without even setting foot in your doctor's surgery.
So, if you have a common or minor health problem, Care at the Chemist is for you. You don't need an appointment and you'll find a chemist close to home, with many open early until late.
Medicines are free for anyone who does not pay for their prescriptions – all you need is proof of exemption. Those who do pay will be charged the current prescription charge. If the medicine costs less to buy over the counter than the prescription charge, you will pay the lower rate.
Here is the range of common, everyday illnesses and ailments that are included in the scheme:
- Athlete's foot
- Cold sores
- Conjunctivitis
- Constipation
- Contact dermatitis
- Coughs & colds
- Cystitis
- Diarrhoea
- Dry eyes
- Ear wax
- Fever
- Haemorrhoids (piles)
- Hayfever& allergies
- Head lice
- Headache
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Infant colic
- Insect bites/stings
- Nappy rash
- Nasal congestion
- Pain
- Scabies
- Sore throat
- Sprains & strains
- Teething
- Threadworm
- Toothache
- Thrush
- Warts and verrucas
BROADWAY PHARMACY add under NHS Services with title ‘Pharmacy First’
Pharmacy First
Pharmacy First is a service available to patients in Walsall to access self-care advice for the treatment of minor ailments and where appropriate, can be supplied with over the counter (OTC) and Pharmacy (P) medicines at NHS expense without the requirement to attend a GP appointment.
There are a limited number of conditions covered by the service and the will differ depending on the age of the patient and patients may only access the service up to three times in a year.
Self Care
From coughs, colds and sore throats to upset stomachs, aches and pains, self-care at home is the best choice to treat very minor illnesses, ailments and injuries.
A big part of your recovery from these minor ailments is to rest and drink plenty of fluids. You can plan ahead by stocking up on some healthcare essentials – paracetamol or aspirin, indigestion remedies and plasters for example. You can find all these at your local pharmacy. If you are ill and don't have these in your house, ask a friend, family member or carer to get them on your behalf.
NHS repeat prescriptions
When you are prescribed a new medicine by your doctor our pharmacists can offer support and advice to ensure you take the new medication as prescribed without suffering any unwanted side effects or explain any further questions you may have. We usually do this by keeping in contact with you during the first 4 weeks of your new medicine being prescribed.
The service is only available for people living in England, and only for those who have been prescribed a new medicine for the conditions listed:
- asthma
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- type 2 diabetes
- high blood pressure
- people who have been given a new blood-thinning medicine
The NMS can help:
- improve your adherence (taking your medicines correctly) which will generally lead to better health outcomes
- increase your engagement with your condition and medicines, supporting you to make decisions about your treatment and self-management
- reduce medicines wastage
- reduce hospital admissions due to adverse events from medicines
Prescription collection from local GP surgeries
Prescription delivery service
The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats we have ever faced, killing more than 8 million people a year around the world. According to the NHS, in the UK alone, smoking kills over 80,000 people every year and a further 500,000 people are admitted into hospital as a direct result of smoking.
Smoking has been linked to countless conditions from depression, infertility and asthma, to the more serious conditions such as lung cancer, emphysema and heart disease. It’s really not surprising that this is the case when you consider how many harmful substances there are in a cigarette. They have thousands of different chemicals, some of which are carcinogenic (cancer causing), and examples of others being acetone (used as nail polish remover), lead and cadmium (a highly toxic metal.)
The truth of the matter is, we all know how bad smoking is for our health, and a majority of smokers will say that they want to quit but giving up can be hard. Especially without the right help and support. That’s where our friendly and professional staff come in!
There is now more support than ever before, not just in the form of information, but also products designed to reduce cravings and to fight off any of the horrible withdrawal symptoms. One of the developments has been the introduction of Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT.) There are a variety of NRT products available:
- Patches
- Gum
- Inhalators
- Mouth Sprays
- Nasal Sprays
- Tablets
- Lozenges
Smoking is addictive because of the nicotine in cigarettes. That is why it is hard to quit. By starting one or even a combination of the above therapies, they will give a smoker a dose of nicotine in their blood. This reduces the nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings, whilst they break away from the psychological habit of smoking.
Our staff can advise you on the best way to kick your smoking habit. By coming in to our store our trained pharmacist will provide you with a free consultation, asking you questions such as how many cigarettes you smoke in a day and what triggers the need for a cigarette etc. By determining your ‘level of nicotine addiction’ the pharmacist will then be able to offer their advice on what they think would work best for you.
The pharmacist may even offer advice in other forms, for example, letting you know about any local support groups, advising you to take up a hobby or even suggesting a routine to start you off.
The benefit of having this support is that we are there 7 days a week whenever you need help, or even just a friendly professional to speak with. It is a proven fact that if you receive support while trying to stop smoking your chance for success is greatly increased.
Walsall
West Midlands
WS1 3HG