Thousands access free service that helps assess and treat common ailments

A convenient service which provides free treatments for a list of common ailments has been helping thousands of people across Swansea Bay.

The Common Ailments Service can treat 28 everyday conditions and is available at all 90 community pharmacies in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.

It allows community pharmacists to offer free over-the-counter treatments as well as advice for the listed ailments, taking away the need for patients to see a GP first.

More than 75,000 consultations were carried out between April 2025 and March 2026, an increase of around 15,000 on the previous year.

Pictured: Members of staff at Allied Pharmacy, Port Talbot Resource Centre, including Umar Hussain (centre).

A recent update has seen the sore throat test and treat service become managed under the Common Ailments Service – meaning patients over the age of five can receive treatment if deemed necessary.

The management of urinary tract infections (UTIs) has also been added to the Common Ailments Service too.

Sam Page, Swansea Bay’s Head of Primary Care, said: “What had previously been called the sore throat test and treat service is now being managed as part of the Common Ailments Service.

“Community pharmacists will undertake an assessment to identify if they need to swab the patient’s throat and test to determine if the sore throat is due to a bacterial infection, and then they can provide antibiotics if needed.

“The previously named UTI service has also been incorporated into the Common Ailments Service, which is available to most women aged between 16 and 64, who have symptoms of a UTI.

“Patients can present at a community pharmacy where a urine test may be required and can receive treatment if needed.”

To use the Common Ailments Service, you must register with the community pharmacy, which only takes a few minutes.

The remaining ailments included are: acne, allergic rhinitis, athletes’ foot, backache (acute), chickenpox, cold sores, colic, conjunctivitis (bacterial), constipation, dry skin, diarrhoea, dry eye, haemorrhoids, head lice, indigestion/reflux, ingrowing toenail, intertrigo, mouth ulcers, nappy rash, oral thrush, ringworm, scabies, teething, threadworm, vaginal thrush and warts and verrucas.

All community pharmacies will carry out consultations in a private room.

During the consultation, the community pharmacist will go through the patient’s symptoms and then decide whether it would be best to offer advice, treatment or refer them to a GP.

Patients are advised to visit their local pharmacy to check their availability that day, as some may be asked to call back at a more appropriate time, make an appointment or be directed to a nearby pharmacy.

Allied Pharmacy, in Port Talbot, has seen a huge demand for the service, with more than 4,000 patients registered to access it.

“We are very busy with patients accessing the service,” pharmacist Umar Hussain said.

“The easy access to care is very beneficial for patients.

“Our pharmacy is open until 7pm on weekdays, 5.30pm on Saturdays and 10pm on Sundays which also helps to increase the accessibility.

“The Common Ailments Service helps us to provide effective treatment after just asking the patient a few simple questions.

“It’s very beneficial to have a list of specific ailments that the public can access treatment for.”

Sam added: “Community pharmacies are well placed to deliver the Common Ailments Service as they are so close to home for many patients.

“It is so convenient to call into your local pharmacy, especially as many are open during evenings and weekends.”