Visits to the GP for minor ailments add up to 57 million consultations a year. But by visiting your pharmacy instead, you could save yourself time and trouble.

Instead of booking and waiting for a GP appointment, you can visit your local pharmacist any time: just walk in.

All pharmacists can recognise many common health complaints. They can give advice or, where appropriate, medicines that will help to clear up the problem. If your problem is more serious and needs the attention of a GP, your pharmacist will recognise this and advise you to see your GP.

What’s more, many pharmacies are open in the evenings and on the weekends.

If everybody went to a pharmacist with common health problems, more time would be freed for our GPs. This might make it easier to get a convenient appointment with your GP next time you need one.

So if you have a common health problem, a trip to your pharmacy is an option.

Your pharmacist may be able to help with:

• skin conditions, such as mild  acne and mild eczema
• coughs and colds , including nasal congestion and sore throat
• minor cuts and bruises
• constipation  and  haemorrhoids (piles)
• hay fever  and  allergies
• aches and pains, such as headaches, earache and backache
• indigestion ,  diarrhoea and  threadworms
• period pain and thrush
• warts and verrucas ,  mouth ulcers and  cold sores
• athlete's foot  
• nappy rash  and  teething

Minor ailment services

If your pharmacy runs a minor ailment service for eczema, for example, it means that your pharmacist can supply medicines for this condition, and you'll only pay the standard prescription charge. Or if you're exempt from paying prescription charges, for example because you're over 60, you won't pay for the medicine.