Dear LPG,

I wonder if the pensioners of Lewisham are aware of the NHS Minor Ailment Scheme.  I found out recently that if a person suffering from what is termed as a ‘minor ailment’, it may be possible that a trip to their local pharmacy could save waiting long periods for a GP appointment and result in suitable prescription medication being offered then and there, free of charge in the chemist. 

I recently found myself with uncontrollably weeping eyes and I visited my local chemist for something completely unrelated.  While there I mentioned my predicament to the pharmacist and was given an ointment which cleared the problem up very effectively. 

The scheme only applies if the patient would normally be eligible to receive prescription medicine free anyway, which includes people under the age of 16 and those over the age of 60, and  where it is available, it saves a trip to the Doctor which has to mean that the patient gets better more quickly.  

The only real question is what is a minor ailment and how would an untrained person know the severity of their health concern?  Perhaps the answer is to pop into your local chemist and ask two questions…

1,         Are they one of the chemists taking part in this scheme?

And

2,         Can they help with your particular problem.

MT, Catford

LPG found some information which informs that this scheme is being spearheaded in Boot’s Pharmacies but is available in some independent and NHS run outlets as well.  We have also found a list of the health complaints that typically are accepted to be ‘minor ailments’.

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