Could Your Local Pharmacy Save You a Trip to the GP? Cornwall’s Walk-In Service Hits Milestone

Pharmacy First and Walk-In Consultation Service Celebrate Key Anniversaries

Cornwall’s community pharmacies are being recognised this February for their growing role in providing accessible healthcare, with two major services reaching significant milestones.

The Walk-In Consultation Service (WICS), which launched in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in January 2021, has now seen more than 38,000 patient consultations, with 80% of patients receiving treatment or advice without needing a GP appointment. According to Community Pharmacy Cornwall, the service has also prevented over 500 unnecessary trips to the emergency department.

Meanwhile, Pharmacy First, which launched nationally on 31st January 2024, is celebrating its first anniversary. This service enables people to seek treatment for seven common conditions directly from their local pharmacy.

What Can Pharmacists Treat?

The Pharmacy First scheme allows pharmacists to treat:

• Sinusitis
• Sore throats
• Childhood earaches
• Insect bites
• Skin infections
• Shingles
• Urinary tract infections

Patients can walk in for an on-the-day consultation without needing to visit their GP, making it a particularly useful option during winter and peak tourist seasons, when healthcare services face extra demand.

Nick Kaye, CEO of Community Pharmacy Cornwall, highlighted the success of the region’s pharmacies:

“Community pharmacies in Cornwall have led the way with our England-first walk-in service, in fact the success of this service has led to further national service being commissioned in the form of Pharmacy First. Community pharmacy teams across Cornwall should feel proud of their hard work and commitment to patient care.”

More Than Just Prescriptions

Cornwall’s community pharmacies offer more than just minor ailment treatments. They also provide:

• Blood pressure checks, cholesterol tests, and diabetes monitoring
• Emergency contraception
• Flu, COVID-19, and travel vaccinations

Pharmacists are trained to recognise red flag symptoms, ensuring patients with serious conditions receive urgent care when needed.

Dr Chris Reid, chief medical officer for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, said:

“Our community pharmacies are doing a great job by offering a simple and quick way to access treatment. This has reduced patient waiting times and freed up GP appointments for those with more complex health issues. We know that many people love the ease and convenience of being able to pop into a local pharmacy to get the help they need.”

Find your local pharmacy using the NHS Find a Pharmacy tool.

February is National Heart Month – Get Checked for Free

With high blood pressure being a major health concern, February’s National Heart Month is encouraging people to get checked.

• Healthy Cornwall is offering free blood pressure checks at libraries across the county.
• Every library in Cornwall now provides blood pressure monitors for people to borrow.
• Find out more about Healthy Heart events near you: Cornwall Council Healthy Heart Events

The NHS is also seeking public feedback to help shape future services. Take the five-minute survey here: Cornwall Blood Pressure Survey

Winter of Wellbeing – Have Your Say on the NHS

Throughout February, NHS Cornwall is running Winter of Wellbeing events across the county and the Isles of Scilly. These events offer a chance to:

• Get free health and wellbeing checks
• Receive expert advice
• Share your views on the future of the NHS

Find out more about these events and the NHS 10-year health plan here: NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.

With pharmacies playing an increasingly vital role in Cornwall’s healthcare system, could your next trip to the GP be avoided with a simple visit to your local pharmacy?