St Stephen’s House Surgery are pleased to advise our patients that we are now able to refer our patients to Community Pharmacists for minor illness conditions for a same day consultation.
Pharmacists will conduct a consultation with the patient (face to face or phone or video consultation) and can include self-care advice or purchase of an OTC (over the counter) medicine as appropriate. Pharmacist will take the patient’s medical history and ask about current symptoms and any current medication, if following the consultation, the patient needs to be escalated or referred to another healthcare setting then the Pharmacist can arrange this, e.g. arrange an urgent GP appointment, or escalate to an urgent care setting such as 111, A & E, Walk in Centre or Dentist if appropriate. The pharmacist will make a record of the outcome and send it to the patient’s GP by secure digital message.
St Stephen’s House Surgery will advise patients if a referral is being made and that the Pharmacy will contact the patient the same day if the referral has been made before 4pm, if after 4pm the patient will be contacted the next working day. There are no specific appointment times given. If a patient has not been contacted by the Pharmacy within 12 working hours they should contact the Pharmacy.
Examples of conditions that will be referred are:
Bites/Stings, Colds, Congestion, Earache, Conjunctivitis, Dry/sore eyes, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Hay fever, Cystitis, Pain, Skin Issues, Cold Sores.
Patients are still requested where possible to complete an online request form via our website which will be forwarded to the on call GP for triaging, who may then refer to CPCS if appropriate, the patient will be advised that they have been referred.
Thank you for your continued support.
Jane White
Practice Manager
On behalf of The Partners
St Stephen’s House Surgery