Posted: Mon 28th Jan 2019

Nine Wrexham pharmacies to pilot new 10-minute sore throat test and treat service

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Monday, Jan 28th, 2019

Nine pharmacies across the Wrexham area are taking part in a new pilot scheme which aims to direct people to the right treatment for a sore throat using a 10-minute test.

From today 35 North Wales pharmacies will offer a new service to help determine whether a sore throat is being caused by a viral or bacterial infection so people can get expert advice and treatment quickly without having to visit their GP.

Users of the pilot service will have a consultation with a pharmacist, who will use a set of structured questions and possibly a swab test, to determine whether they have a viral or bacterial sore throat.

If the test determines it to be a viral infection which antibiotics will not treat, the pharmacist can advise on steps to take to recover. The pharmacist can also provide antibiotics if the test reveals a bacterial infection that antibiotics can help with.

The scheme, running as a trial in North Wales and in the Cwm Taf Health Board area, will be assessed for its success and potentially rolled out across Wales.

The service is part of the Common Ailments Scheme, which encourages patients to visit their community pharmacist instead of their GP if they feel they need NHS advice to manage common ailments, such as sore throat, heartburn, conjunctivitis, thrush and threadworm.

Deputy Head of Pharmacy for Primary and Community Care, Adam Mackridge, said: “This time of year sore throats are very common and are usually caused by minor illnesses such as colds and flu.”

“Sore throats are very common and normally get better within 7 to 10 days. Most Sore Throats can be treated at home with medicines you have in your medicines cupboard, and won’t need advice from a healthcare professional.

“However, it’s a good idea to visit your pharmacist for advice if your symptoms are severe, your symptoms haven’t started to improve after a week or you are unsure about your symptoms and how best to treat them.

The scheme will be available in selected pharmacies from Monday 28th January, with the nine listed below taking part in the pilot:

– Penycae: Alexander’s Pharmacies Ltd 2-3 Stryt Issa
– Plas Madoc: Alexander’s Pharmacies Ltd 52-53 Peris
– Coedpoeth: L Rowland & Co (Retail) Ltd 26-28 High Street
– Borras: L Rowland & Co (Retail) Ltd 26 Borras Park Road
– Ruabon: L Rowland & Co (Retail) Ltd The Medical Centre off High Street
– Coedpoeth: The Pharmacy Coedpoeth Ltd Manchester House Heol Maelor
– Rhostyllen: Vittoria Healthcare Ltd Trinity Street
– Brymbo: Well Pharmacy 1 Ael Y Bryn
– St George’s Crescent L Rowland & Co (Retail) Ltd 41 St Georges Crescent

Local pharmacist Gerald Thomas, area manager of Knights pharmacies in Wrexham and Flintshire said: “This is a great new service which will serve those patients who are worried about a severe or persistent sore throat.

“If you feel that your sore throat is severe or not improving, visit your local pharmacy first.

“You will be seen that day, by a highly qualified member of the healthcare team, who will be able to offer advice and if appropriate, treatment at that point. If it requires further investigation, the pharmacist can direct you to the correct place to be seen.

“I would strongly encourage patients over the age of 6 with a sore throat who need advice from a healthcare worker to access this free NHS service in the first place. Choose well and choose pharmacy as your first point of contact.”

For information about which pharmacies are piloting the scheme visit: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/861/page/97954/



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