Visit your chemist

PEOPLE in Warrington can avoid unnecessary GP and A&E visits by seeking help from their local pharmacist.
That’s the message from Warrington CCG in the run-up to Christmas and as winter weather arrives.
People are being encouraged to make use of pharmacies as their first port of call for self-care inside and outside the NHS.
Self-care is incredibly important and can help local NHS services immensely during the busy winter months. A well-stocked medicine cabinet can really make a difference to every household.
Local community pharmacist Hussain Mohajer (pictured) said: “The local pharmacy is a majorly under-utilised resource within the NHS.
“I have no doubt the pharmacy could play an even greater role in supporting and promoting the health and wellbeing of the local communities in which they are located.
“Pharmacists and their staff can offer free, friendly, professional advice and the major advantage that pharmacy has to offer is that we are by far the most easily accessible healthcare professionals available
with no prior appointments required.
“Most pharmacies are now open longer hours, which includes late nights and weekends, to help accommodate the general public’s needs.”
Pharmacies see an array of different types of illnesses and injuries.
These can vary from the common cold to seriously ill patients and everything in between.
Dr Catherine Doyle, CCG clinical lead for medicines management and GP at Brookfield Surgery said: “You can receive fast and convenient advice for free right on the high street.
“We know that one out of every four people who goes to A&E could have either self-treated or used another local service, such as their pharmacy for advice, for conditions such as colds and flu.”