Pharmacy services: discovering what's on offer in Islington
Tell us about your experiences
Community pharmacy can help us to stay well
Health services are under a lot of pressure following the pandemic. As a patient, sometimes it can be difficult to get the support you need when you need it.
Pharmacies are open for long hours and are located at the heart of the communities they serve. Pharmacists are experts on medicines. They train for over five years and can offer confidential clinical advice without the need for an appointment. Pharmacies have a key role to play in helping us stay well.
Pharmacists can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of common illnesses including coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy problems, and aches and pains. They will also tell you if they think you need to see a GP.
You don't need to wait for an appointment
Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can ask for expert advice without being overheard. You can simply ask at the counter if you would like to speak to the pharmacist about a health issue.
You don’t need an appointment to come and see a pharmacist for advice. Many pharmacies are open late and at weekends – there will usually be an open pharmacy close by. The only time you shouldn’t visit is if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or are self-isolating.
You can find your nearest pharmacy including their opening times online.
Pharmacy Services available in Islington
All pharmacies provide the following services:
- dispensing of NHS prescriptions
- access to the repeat prescription service (with agreement from your GP)
- non-prescription medicines (like paracetamol)
- disposal of unwanted or out-of-date medicines
- advice on treating minor health concerns and healthy living
Including advice about over-the-counter medicines for which no prescription is needed. Antibiotics are not available over the counter. - Discharge Medicines Service
On discharge from hospital, you may be referred to a community pharmacy to give them information about medication changes made in hospital.
Free medicines for residents on low incomes
The majority of Islington pharmacies can provide medicines for free to those who are eligible. These medicines are provided through the Self-care Pharmacy First Scheme. This is a scheme for residents who are on low incomes and classed as socially vulnerable. It enables people to access over-the-counter products for minor ailments that they might not otherwise be able to afford.
The scheme covers the following ailments and conditions: Athlete's foot; Back pain; Constipation (for patients over 12 years old); Contact dermatitis; Diarrhoea; Dyspepsia and indigestion; Earache; Fever/headache; Haemorrhoids; Hay fever, allergic rhinitis, and allergies; Head lice; Minor injuries; Nappy rash; Ringworm; Scabies; Teething; Threadworm; Vaginal thrush; Warts and verrucas.
For more information on the Self-care Pharmacy First Scheme visit https://nclhealthandcare.org.uk/keeping-well/self-care/
In addition to the services listed above, community pharmacies can choose to provide a range of additional services:
- Flu vaccination
Nearly every pharmacy in Islington will be providing the free flu vaccination this winter. You can book an appointment for your flu jab but you can always just walk in to most pharmacies for your flu jab - COVID-19 vaccination
- Blood Pressure Check Service
This service identifies people aged 40 years and older with high blood pressure who have not had a confirmed diagnosis of high blood pressure previously. The pharmacy will refer you to your GP to confirm the diagnosis and for appropriate management. (also open to people under 40 at the discretion of the pharmacist). - New Medicines Service
Extra help and advice if you are starting on a new medicine for conditions including asthma, COPD, Type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure, as well as blood thinning medications such as Warfarin. - Hepatitis C Testing Service
This service supports people who inject drugs such as steroids or heroin but haven’t yet moved to the point of accepting treatment for substance use. If you test positive you are referred for another test to confirm the result and treatment where appropriate. - Smoking Cessation
- Emergency Contraception
- End of Life Service
Some pharmacies maintain levels of medicines that may be required in an End of Life situation. - Community Pharmacy Consultation Service
GPs, Urgent Care Assessment Services and/or NHS 111 can refer you to community pharmacy for a minor illness consultation or if you need an emergency supply of medicine. - Appliance Use Review
You and your pharmacist have a consultation to discuss the appliance or device that you are currently using. There are many appliances that patients use. Some examples include asthma inhalers, catheters, compression bandages, and stoma pouches. - Stoma Appliance Customisation
A stoma appliance or colostomy bag is a small waterproof pouch used to collect waste from the body after a surgical procedure to divert one end of the colon through an opening in the tummy. - Anticoagulation Monitoring Service
A monitoring service for patients receiving Warfarin (blood-thinning) therapy.
