Services Database Minor Ailment Scheme

The community pharmacist will treat minor ailments and supply medicines according to the Cumbria CCG minor ailments local formulary.

Medicines will be supplied free for patients exempt from prescriptions charges.

The service is available to :

• patients registered with a GP practice in Furness Locality; and
• people living in Furness Locality not registered with ANY GP practice eg. travellers and asylum seekers. These people can be provided with advice and/or treatment, then signposted to a local GP practice for NHS registration.

Patients can be introduced to the scheme in the following three ways:

1. Referral by a GP Practice or other healthcare professional - Patients presenting at a GP surgery, or the Out of Hours service (CHOC) with a minor ailment included as part of the scheme, may be advised on how to access the service in the future;
2. Referred by pharmacy staff - Pharmacists and pharmacy staff may refer patients into the scheme when appropriate; or
3. Self-referral into the scheme through a participating pharmacy - Patients can self-refer into the service. 

Supervising pharmacists are required to complete Responding to Minor Ailments (NHS Education for Scotland version) which is available from CPPE. Accreditation should be completed within 3 months of the Minor Ailment Scheme starting.

A CPPE Declaration of Competence needs to be completed for provision of a Minor Ailment Service.

All staff providing the scheme should ensure they undertake appropriate CPD, so that they have current knowledge of guidance issued around the treatment of minor ailments, and OTC medicines.

Accredited Medicines Counter Assistant (NVQ2 or equivalent) are required to adhere to a Minor Ailment Scheme SOP, have read the CPPE pack and be signed off as competent by their supervising pharmacist.