Herefordshire residents are being encouraged to talk to their pharmacist if they need help and advice managing minor health conditions, avoiding a trip to the GP.

NHS Herefordshire Clinical Commissioning group is supporting the ‘help us help you’ pharmacy advice campaign, which launched on Monday, January 20 to promote the services on offer at local pharmacies and urging people to pay them a visit with common health concerns.

Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals, who are the right people to see if you need advice and over the counter treatments for a wide range of health issues.

Most minor conditions, such as colds, coughs, flu and stomach bugs can be treated at home, and your local pharmacist can provide you with help and support to get you back on your feet as soon as possible.

With most people living within easy reach of a pharmacy and with many pharmacies offering extended opening hours in the evenings and at weekends, pharmacy teams offer fast and convenient support with no appointment needed.

Also, most community pharmacies now offer a private consultation room, suitable for a confidential conversation, should it be requested.

Jane Freeguard, associate director of medicines commissioning for the nhs Herefordshire and Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups, said: “If you need help to manage a minor condition, your local pharmacy is the best place to go.

They offer free expert advice on a wide range of health issues, support for self-care and medicines to treat common complaints.

Pharmacists are highly trained to offer help and support to patients and they’re available without the need to book an appointment.”