VIDEO: ‘Make the most of your local chemist’

Right Care, Right Now launches Self Care Week (November 18-24) with personal pleas from Horsham and Mid Sussex community pharmacists to encourage more people to make the most of their local chemist.
Piers Barrett-BerryPiers Barrett-Berry
Piers Barrett-Berry

The campaign is all about ensuring people know where to go to get the right health care, in the right place at the right time throughout winter.

This Self Care Week, local pharmacists are launching the first in a series of online films to raise awareness of just how much community healthcare professionals can help you, and where to go when for the best care, quickest.

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The clips, which will be released throughout November and December, also star local GPs, nurses at the Urgent Treatment Centre at Crawley Hospital and the Minor Injuries Unit at Horsham Hospital, and A&E consultants at Princess Royal Hospital and the emergency department at East Surrey Hospital.

Piers Barrett-BerryPiers Barrett-Berry
Piers Barrett-Berry

Horsham and Mid Sussex Community Pharmacist, Piers Barrett-Berry, features in the new pharmacist film.

He said: “Pharmacists are highly qualified healthcare professionals who have undertaken five years of education and training for this specialist role. They also have the skills and expertise to offer advice on health. Many local pharmacies are located at the heart of our neighbourhoods and are accessible for long hours each day, and without appointment.”

Neighbouring Crawley Community Pharmacist, CJ Patel, co-stars in the clip. He added: “Many people don’t realise the wide range of things we can help with - pharmacists do so much more than dispensing prescriptions. We can give free expert advice on a wide range of health issues and even have a private consulting room should you want a little privacy to chat. We can support people with self-care and medicines to treat common complaints such as coughs and colds, flu, sore throats, earache, backache, stomach upsets and cuts and grazes.”

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NHS Horsham and Mid Sussex CCG has also developed a Mobile App and website to help guide people to get the right help for their particular ailment at the time. The handy resource will be launched in December, in partnership with other local NHS organisations.

Dr Minesh Patel, lead GP for the CCG which plans, buys and checks our local NHS care, said: “The different NHS services we have locally can sometimes seem confusing, with many people not knowing when to go to their pharmacist, GP, or when to visit the Minor Injuries Unit at Horsham Hospital or an A&E. We’re guiding people at their time of need with our quick and easy-to-use App and website.

“We want to help people to look after their health for life - taking care of minor ailments, managing more serious long term health conditions and choosing healthy options that will impact positively on people’s physical health as well as their mental wellbeing and self-esteem.

“A big part of this winter campaign is about preparing ahead, especially in winter time when the cold weather can have an impact on chest and heart conditions as well as arthritis. Everyone knows winter is an especially busy time for our NHS and you can really help us to help you get the right care, in the right place, quicker and closer to home by choosing well this winter.”

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