Care at the Chemist

Did you know that you can get free, fast and expert health advice at any pharmacy in Sefton?

Our Care at the Chemist scheme is the quickest and easiest way to get advice and treatment from a health professional for a wide range of everyday illnesses and ailments – without even setting foot in your doctor’s surgery.

So, if you have a common or minor health problem, Care at the Chemist is for you. You don’t need an appointment and you’ll find a chemist close to home, with many open early until late.

Medicines are free for anyone who does not pay for their prescriptions – all you need is proof of exemption. Those who do pay will be charged the current prescription charge. If the medicine costs less to buy over the counter than the prescription charge, you will pay the lower rate.

For more information, simply pop into one of the pharmacies who are signed up to the scheme and ask about joining Care at the Chemist. Use the interactive map below to find your nearest pharmacy that offers Care at the Chemist.

We are working with NHS South Sefton CCG and those pharmacies listed to provide Care at the Chemist and here is the range of common, everyday illnesses and ailments that are included in the scheme: 

• Athlete’s foot 
• Cold sores 
• Conjunctivitis 
• Constipation 
• Contact dermatitis 
• Coughs & colds 
• Cystitis 
• Diarrhoea 
• Dry eyes
• Ear wax 
• Fever 
• Haemorrhoids (piles) 
• Hay fever & allergies 
• Head lice 
• Headache 
• Heartburn
• Indigestion 
• Infant colic
• Insect bites/stings 
• Nappy rash 
• Nasal congestion
• Pain 
• Scabies 
• Sore throat
• Sprains & strains 
• Teething
• Threadworm
• Toothache
• Thrush
• Warts and verrucae

If you contact Kew Surgery and request an appointment relating to any of the above, we can now refer you to the GP Community Pharmacy Consultation Service.

Patients have access to a service from a pharmacist of their choice which makes greater use of pharmacists’ expertise and can help ensure patients are provided with the right care by the right person at a time most convenient to them.

When speaking to a receptionist, we may be able to refer you to your chosen chemist for a consultation.

You may be informed of this service when you contact the practice if the symptoms that you describe fit the necessary criteria to be seen via this referral pathway.

This will increase capacity within general practice for the treatment of patients with higher acuity needs, both now and post pandemic.