Frome Medical Practice is introducing a new service, which will ensure patients with minor illnesses or injuries can be seen by a community pharmacist, on the same day they call the practice for health advice. The Community Pharmacy Consultation Service, which launches on 12th July, means patients can be referred to their local pharmacy for a same-day consultation.

Karen Creffield, Practice Manager said, "Community pharmacists are highly qualified and experienced in providing clinical advice and care for minor illnesses and injuries. We are delighted that we can now offer referral to community pharmacists as part of what we provide for our patients. This means patients can get medical advice on the same day they call us and helps those patients with more complex conditions access GP advice and support more quickly too."

Conditions that patients might be referred to a community pharmacist for include allergic reactions, bites or stings, eye infections, coughs, colds or sore throats, rashes, or mouth ulcers and blisters. A community pharmacist will be able to recommend over the counter medicine to help such conditions, but if the pharmacist believes you need to see a GP or other health care professional they can help with this too.

Karen said, "This isn't about replacing face to face time with a GP. That continues to be a service that's available to patients that need it. This is about expanding what we offer to patients, to ensure they receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time. We are looking forward to working with the pharmacies and being able to offer this additional service to our patients in Frome."

For more information about the new service please visit the practice website at fromemedicalpractice.co.uk