Popular sore throat service now available in all community pharmacies
People suffering with sore throats can be assessed and even treated close to their home without the need for a GP appointment.
The sore throat test and treat service is now available in all 90 community pharmacies across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot ahead of winter.
It follows Welsh Government investment that allowed the Common Ailments Service to expand and become available in 99 per cent of pharmacies nationally.
The popular service is available to everyone over five years of age.
It will enable more patients to be assessed and treated, if needed, closer to home without the need for a GP appointment.
To access the Common Ailments Service, people must register with the pharmacy which only takes a few minutes.
Consultations are carried out in a private room and if the pharmacist decides they still need to see a doctor they will be referred.
Sam Page, the health board’s Head of Primary Care, said: “This has helped to increase the number of clinical services available in community pharmacies.
“Many patients go to their GP practice for a sore throat but now they can be seen at a community pharmacy near them.
“The expansion has helped to make the popular service more accessible in all of our communities.”
Management of sore throats as part of the Common Ailments Service allows pharmacists to assess patients aged over five with a sore throat.
During the assessment, the pharmacist will decide whether it is appropriate to swab the patient’s throat and, if so, the result will determine if the sore throat is due to a bacterial infection.
Once the throat swab test has been carried out, patients only have to wait a few moments to receive the result.
Depending on the result and the patient’s symptoms, treatment may be offered by the pharmacist, without needing to get a prescription from a GP, or self-care advice will be provided.
Sam added: “Community pharmacies may ask patients to call back or book them into an appointment, but it has still reduced the need for them to make a GP appointment.”
There are some people for whom the service is not suitable. They are advised to contact their GP practice if:
- Symptoms are persistent and haven’t improved after a week.
- They have a weakened immune system or are immunocompromised.
- They have a high temperature that isn’t controlled by paracetamol or ibuprofen.
- They have a medical condition or have had frequent sore throats in the last year.
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