Are you looking after someone who couldn’t manage without your help?

Content Coming Soon

Pharmacists play a key role in providing quality healthcare to patients.  Working in the community, pharmacists use their clinical expertise together with their practical knowledge to ensure the safe supply and use of medicines by patients and members of the public.

Many pharmacies in the local area offer the ‘Pharmacy First’ service. This service is an alternative to visiting your GP, making it easier for you and your family to get healthcare and advice at a time that suits you.

Your local pharmacy can offer advice and if necessary, prescribe medication to treat the following ailments under the Pharmacy First service:

• Otitis (Ear infection)
• Impetigo
• Infected insect bites
• Acute sore throat
• Acute sinusitis
• Urinary tract infection
• Shingles

Pharmacists can also offer advice on common problems such as coughs, colds, aches and pains as well as healthy eating and stopping smoking.

You can talk to your pharmacist in confidence, even about the most personal symptoms and you don’t need to make an appointment; most pharmacies now have a private consultation area where patients can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard by other members of the public.

Consultations are always free and confidential, regardless of whether the pharmacist gives you any medication.

Contact your GP practice online

You do not require a doctor’s sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a ‘Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work – ’Fit Note’

The ‘fit note’ was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer’s support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.

For more information see the DirectGov website (where this information was sourced).

The staff in your practice are trained about domestic abuse and specialist workers are available to support you. Your practice is an IRIS practice. You can talk to doctors, nurses and other staff working here if you are being hurt or controlled by your current or ex-partner, are afraid of someone at home or a member of your family. You can also contact 0300 123 7047 option 2 and ask to speak to your local IRIS Advocate Educator.

The Open the Door website also has lots of information to help if you or someone you know who is in a relationship that doesn’t quite feel right. Visit openthedoorcheshire.org.uk for advice and access to self-support services.  

Online security: if you’re worried about someone knowing you have visited this website and other domestic abuse pages from your computer please visit