PATIENTS with minor ailments can get free medicines from their pharmacy without visiting their doctor through a scheme being tested in two Wear Valley communities.
Practices in Willington and St Helen Auckland are piloting the project, which was developed by the pharmacy team at the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust and community pharmacies.
It applies to patients who qualify for free prescriptions and means they will not have to pay for drugs or wait for a doctor's appointment.
Yvonne Maule, the trust's pharmaceutical advisor, said: "This scheme will make it easier for patients suffering from minor ailments, such as a sore throat, hay fever, indigestion, coughs and colds, head lice, tummy upsets and constipation, to obtain medicines quicker and without the need for a prescription.
"A significant number of GP appointments are taken up with minor ailments, so this new scheme will help reduce unnecessary visits to GP surgeries, giving GPs more time to see patients with more serious conditions."
If successful the service will be extended to all people in the Durham Dales area.
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