Today's the day that a big shake-up to many of the UK's pharmacies comes as there are now seven common illnesses which you won't need to see the doctor for.
From today (31 January) pharmacists across England will have the ability to assess potential patients and prescribe treatment for some of the most prevalent afflictions that plague the public.
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According to NHS England, a vast majority of community pharmacies in England, 10,265 in total, will be part of the Pharmacy First scheme.
The idea behind the shake-up is getting people treatment faster and freeing up GP appointments for common conditions which a pharmacist can diagnose and treat.
It's hoped that this change will free up to 10 million GP appointments a year, which should come as some relief to those who have to dial their local medical centre first thing in the morning to try and get a spot.
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Instead you can get seen to at the pharmacy and receive treatment without a GP prescription.
Pharmacies taking part in the scheme will get an upfront payment of £2,000, along with £15 for each consultation they do and another £1,000 a month if they carry out a minimum level of consultations.
NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: "GPs are already treating millions more people every month than before the pandemic, but with an ageing population and growing demand, we know the NHS needs to give people more choice and make accessing care as easy as possible.
"People across England rightly value the support they receive from their high street pharmacist, and with eight in 10 living within a 20-minute walk of a pharmacy and twice as many pharmacies in areas of deprivation, they are the perfect spot to offer people convenient care for common conditions."
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Hopefully, the scheme will mean people will face less hassle to get treated for seven of the most common illnesses.
From today, you do not need a GP appointment to receive treatment for the following:
• Sinusitis
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• Sore throat
• Earache
• Infected insect bites
• Impetigo
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• Shingles
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women under 65
Pharmacists in the UK study medicine for five years, to become one a person needs to get a Masters degree in Pharmacy which takes four years and then complete a further year of foundation training for the role.
Meanwhile, Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, said that pharmacies were 'severely underfunded to the tune of £1.2 billion'.
She warned that the lack of funding was resulting in many pharmacies 'reducing opening hours and even closing completely', which would certainly be an impediment if they become the new first stop for people wanting treatment for many common illnesses.
Dr Hannbeck called for an end to the 'stranglehold of chronic underfunding' if the government wanted pharmacies to deliver on their expectations.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that £645 million would be going into the scheme.
Joe Harker