Derbyshire Community Pharmacists

Derbyshire’s community pharmacists are here to help

There are 216 community pharmacies across Derbyshire and around 130,000 people visit these every day. The nature of these visits is wide and varied and that’s because Derbyshire's pharmacists offer a lot more than you might think.

If you look after someone who can’t get by without your help due to old age, illness, disability, mental ill health or misuse of drugs or alcohol, your local community pharmacy can offer a wide range of services to support you.

You or the person you care for can talk to your pharmacist in confidence, even about the most personal symptoms, and you don't need to make an appointment. It’s possible to walk into any community pharmacy and ask to speak with the pharmacist, confidentially, about anything that concerns you with regard your own health and wellbeing or that of the person you care for.

Pharmacies can help carers to understand medicines

Pharmacists are trained experts in using medicines safely. They can advise carers on the safe use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

Helping you or the person you care for to take medicines

Pharmacists will help you as much as possible with remembering to take medication or prompt the person you care for to take their medicines. There are different support options that can be provided such as medication reminder charts, large print labels, etc. They will assess and identify what additional support, if any, is needed and work with you to ensure the taking of medication is facilitated appropriately.

Repeat prescription collection service

The Repeat Prescription Collection Service means you may need to make fewer trips to the GP for repeat prescriptions in line with local arrangements with your doctor’s surgery.

If the person you care for is regularly prescribed the same medicines, your pharmacist may offer to help you manage those repeat prescriptions. This means fewer trips to the GP just to get another prescription.

If the person you care for has a long-term medical condition that is stable, your GP may give you a repeat prescription that's valid for up to a year. Your pharmacist can supply your medicine at regular intervals so you don't have to keep going to your GP.

Let your pharmacist know if you are having any problems or side effects, and they can advise you on what to do. They may need to contact your GP and let them know that you are having problems. This can help resolve the issue in a timely manner.

Prescription delivery service

Derbyshire’s community pharmacists may be able to offer a prescription delivery service. Talk to your pharmacist about whether or not they offer this service and who is eligible for this support. If offered, a driver will deliver your medicines or medicines for the person you care for at agreed times.

Emergency supplies of medicines

If you need one of your regular medicines, or a medicine for the person you care for, in an emergency when you are unable to contact your doctor, pharmacies may be able to help.

Pharmacists must stress that this can only be done in genuine emergencies and it may incur a charge. Obviously, it’s better to ensure regular medication is ordered in good time, but delays and mistakes do happen, so contact your pharmacist if you have a problem.

Help with minor ailments

Community pharmacists can save carers a trip to the GP with minor ailments like coughs, colds, aches and pains, skin conditions and stomach upsets, etc.

A pharmacist will be able to assess your needs, give you advice, suggest medicines if appropriate, and refer you to a GP if necessary. They will take into account any regular medication that is taken as this could impact on what they would consider as an appropriate course of action.

Pharmacy teams can give advice about a range of common conditions and minor injuries, such as aches and pains, sore throat, coughs, colds, flu, earache, cystitis and skin rashes and you don't need an appointment.

If you would like to buy an over-the-counter medicine, the pharmacist can help you choose one.

They can also advise you on whether you need to see a GP.

Flu Jab Service

Carers are included in the group of patients eligible for an NHS flu vaccination under the national flu service, but it can be difficult to identify who is a carer. Talk to your pharmacist to see if you are eligible and whether or not they offer this seasonal service.

Want a quiet word?

Pharmacies have a consultation area available if you’d like to discuss something in private.

Pharmacies can help you to understand medicines with the medicines review service

This is a medicine check-up service, which is useful if the person you care for regularly takes several prescription medicines or is on medicines for a long-term illness. This confidential NHS service will help the person to find out more about their medicines, identify any problems they may be having with them and help them to take their medicines to best effect.

Currently, this service can only be provided to the patient, but with their consent, you could sit in on the discussion to learn more about the medicines the person you care for is taking.

Most of Derbyshire’s community pharmacies offer this service, which is called a Medicines Use Review (MUR). To find out more ask your pharmacist.

Pharmacies can help carers to take better care of themselves

Pharmacy teams can help you look after your own and your family's health without having to go to the GP all the time.

Many of Derbyshire’s pharmacies now have Health Champions who are members of the pharmacy team and who will provide customers with advice on health and wellbeing. They work within the communities they serve, providing information and signposting the public to pharmacy services or other NHS services that will help them to adopt healthier lifestyles.

All pharmacies will be able to offer healthy lifestyle advice that covers things like healthy eating, physical activity, losing weight and stopping smoking, especially if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, are a smoker, or are overweight.

If you have a serious long-term condition, such as diabetes, you'll still need regular reviews with your GP or specialist.

Pharmacies can dispose of those unwanted medicines for you

If your medicine is out of date, unwanted, or some of it is left over after you have stopped taking it, don't put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet. Instead, take it to your pharmacy to be disposed of safely.

Finding your nearest pharmacy

You can find your nearest pharmacies using the NHS website service finder, you’ll also be able to see their opening times, contact details and the services they provide.