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Choose your Local Pharmacy for Help with Winter Ailments

People across Gwent can access support on managing a range of seasonal health concerns at their local pharmacy this winter – all without the need for a GP appointment.

With colder weather often bringing an increase in common illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats and sinus problems, local pharmacies could be the first port of call in accessing timely, same-day support for these conditions.

Over the winter period, community pharmacists can offer advice and recommend the right medication to purchase to help manage cold, flu and sinusitis symptoms at home, as well as advising on the essential items that residents should have in their medicine cabinets. Most pharmacies can provide protection against seasonal flu by offering paid for flu vaccinations.

All Pharmacies in Gwent also offer free advice and treatment for 26 common mild illnesses as part of the Common Ailments Service. Some conditions covered by the service include those frequently seen in colder months, such as:

  • Sore throats
  • Dry skin and eczema
  • Cold sores and mouth ulcers

The Common Ailments Service allows local residents to be seen by trained pharmacists, who can assess symptoms, provide confidential guidance, and supply treatment if required. As Winter is a busy time in community pharmacies, appointments are recommended, and so patients are advised to call ahead before visiting their chosen pharmacy and will typically be seen within 24 hours.

Richard Evans, Community Pharmacy Lead for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said: 

“Our local Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals who can offer expert advice on managing a range of ailments throughout the year, including the conditions that are more common in colder weather.

“With Sore Throats and Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) now part of the list of illnesses covered under the free Common Ailments Service, it’s easier than ever for people to access safe, timely care this winter.”

Patients may be asked to register for the free Common Ailments Service. For sore throats and UTIs, a simple test may be carried out to check if antibiotics are required.

The full list of common ailments included in the scheme is available here: Common Ailments Service - Aneurin Bevan University Health Board