As ‘Ask Your Pharmacist’ week begins, local pharmacists are encouraging people in Sussex to make the most of their expertise, and the convenience offered by local pharmacies, as winter approaches.
With this year’s theme as ‘professional and convenient healthcare, from your local pharmacy team’ – pharmacies across Sussex are urging people to think of their local community pharmacy as their first point of contact for healthcare advice and seasonal protection.
This winter, residents can access expanded services under Pharmacy First, including flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, and treatment for minor ailments, which pharmacists can now address directly, allowing for a faster route to care, with no need to see your GP first.
The Pharmacy First service means community (local, high street) pharmacies can provide advice, treatment, and in some cases, medication, for seven common conditions without the need for a prescription or GP appointment.
Since its launch in Sussex, the Pharmacy First service has helped patients in local pharmacies through walk-ins and referrals from GP surgeries or NHS 111, addressing issues such as earache, sinusitis, impetigo, urinary tract infections, shingles, infected insect bites, and sore throats.
Local pharmacies also offer preventative health services such as blood pressure checks for those over 40, help with quitting smoking, and sexual health advice, making it easier than ever to stay well during the colder months.
Superintendent Pharmacist Rachna Chhatralia, who oversees 260 Day Lewis pharmacies across the UK, highlighted the essential role that pharmacies play in the community, saying: “Community pharmacies are at the heart of local healthcare, and their services have expanded significantly over recent years. I like to think people trust us partly because of our place at the heart of the community, as well as our medical knowledge and skills.
“It’s also increasingly understood that we’re part of the wider NHS team – working together to provide a safe and effective service. Most of the time, the pharmacy team can give you the advice and treatment you need right there, but, when necessary, we’ll refer you to a doctor or nurse for further help.”
Local pharmacist, Mary Boaitey-Genfi from East Grinstead, added: “Pharmacists are trained to spot ‘red flag symptoms’—where there might be a more serious underlying condition requiring further investigation.
“If we see something concerning, we’ll signpost people to the right healthcare professional or make formal referrals into NHS care pathways. For NHS services, convenient access to medicines, support for healthy living, and prompt clinical advice, we’re here to help.”
In Sussex there is close collaboration between community pharmacists, GPs, and other local healthcare professionals to ensure patients receive the best possible care.
Hannah, a mum from Hastings, shared how the Pharmacy First service made a crucial difference for her ten your old daughter Imogen in the run to half term this year:
“My daughter started complaining about her ear really hurting, it had disturbed her sleep, and she was very quiet on the first Saturday of the holidays. Late on in the afternoon I noticed her left ear was really waxy. I’d given her Calpol but knew we needed to get her somewhere to check her over.
“With it being a bank holiday, I went onto the NHS website and was looking for anywhere that we could try on Sunday morning. We found the Tesco Extra in Hastings was open on Sunday morning, so my husband went down with her for when it opened.
“They were seen really quickly, and the pharmacist gave her a good check over and sorted out a prescription for anti-biotics and diagnosed a burst ear drum. The medicine sorted her out in a couple of days and the pharmacy was really convenient, saving us having to get to an out-of-hours doctor or struggling through another two days before we could try to get a doctors’ appointment, which would have meant her being poorly for her week off from school.
“I’ve since recommended the service to a few people who haven’t been aware that you can go to the pharmacy for advice, and we would definitely use it again, especially over weekends or bank holidays when it is more difficult to get to the GP.”
Pharmacies are also providing flu and COVID vaccinations this autumn within communities, making it as easy as possible for those who are eligible to receive their vaccination.
Eligible Sussex residents can book their flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations easily through the NHS website, the NHS App, or by calling 119 if online access is unavailable.
The flu vaccine can also be booked by searching online for a local pharmacy, and there are walk in sites available to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
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