Benjamin Pharmacy

Do you know about Pharmacy First?

Pharmacy First enables community pharmacists to supply prescription-only medicines, including antibiotics and antivirals where clinically appropriate, to treat seven common health conditions without the need to visit a GP

Watch the video below for more details and next time you have one of the seven listed ailments & require medical advice and/or prescription medication, remember

Do you know about Pharmacy First? This animation explaining how the Pharmacy First service works, highlighting the seven conditions and the eligible age ranges within the clinical pathways co...

There has been an increase in E. coli cases across the UK in recent weeks which can cause diarrhoea and vomiting.

Find out what to do if you have symptoms and when to seek medical advice if you need it: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diarrhoea-and-vomiting

Loneliness. It’s a part of life. Let’s talk about it.

Did you know 👀 16 - 24 year olds are one of the most at risk audience groups of being affected by loneliness.
More than 80% of young people worry about being embarrassed if they said they were lonely.

We want to reduce the stigma of loneliness, increase knowledge of where to find support and encourage taking action.

It’s important to understand changes in our feelings and of those around us. It’s normal to feel lonely, like when starting something new, leaving home for the first time or even scrolling on social media.

But there are things you can do to help.

Find out more ⬇️
www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/lifes-challenges/loneliness/

Loneliness. It’s a part of life. Let’s talk about it.

Loneliness - Every Mind Matters Loneliness can affect us all, at any time of our lives. Find out about possible signs of loneliness, reasons we feel lonely and ways to manage it.

High blood pressure, often described as a ‘silent killer’, affects an estimated 32% of adults. As the condition rarely has any symptoms, approximately three in 10 of these remain undiagnosed, equating to 4.2 million people in England.

The public are being warned that there are often ‘no clues’ about who might have high blood pressure – the only way to know is to have a simple test. Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia.

With the NHS announcing an additional 2.5 million blood pressure checks in community pharmacies over this year and next, those aged 40 years and over are now being urged to get a free blood pressure test at our pharmacy.

The procedure is quick, non-invasive and you don’t need to book in advance.

Knowing if you have a healthy blood pressure is so important and this new drive will help to prevent the potentially fatal consequences of untreated high blood pressure.

We urge people to come to our pharmacy today to get their blood pressure checked. It could be a lifesaving trip.

For seven common conditions your pharmacist can now provide some prescription medicine, if needed, without you needing to see a GP.

Think Pharmacy First

Find out more at nhs.uk/thinkpharmacyfirst

The NPA is highlighting the acute financial crisis forcing record pharmacy closures, across the national media today. This includes coverage in the Daily Mail, ITV, The Independent, GB News, and regional press.

We’re grateful that Derek Thomas MP, a great friend to the NPA, raised our shocking new figures about closures, at Prime Minister’s Questions today, calling out the “extreme financial pressures”. Rishi Sunak praised Derek’s work in reply, but the Government still needs to fund pharmacies properly.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13420475/chemist-skyrocketing-levels-pharmacy-closures-10-week.html

Experts warn of 'skyrocketing' levels of pharmacy closures this year Some 177 pharmacies closed across England between January and the end of April this year, figures reveal. Last year there were 403, with 91 in 2022.

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/charac/id1567389036?platform=iphone

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.agkiya.charac&hl=en&gl=US

📱 Did you know, we at Benjamin Pharmacy, have an online prescription ordering app??? 📱
We have utilised the app - Charac - in our pharmacy to effectively manage the total patient experience and make it as hassle-free for you as possible to get your medication 💊
Charac is a fully NHS integrated patient relationship management system, where patients can order their own medication, book NHS/Private Services, vaccination appointments, as well as book online consultations with their local pharmacist👨🏽‍⚕️
What are you waiting for?

Download Charac today, nominate Benjamin Pharmacy as your Pharmacy of choice, and we can help you access all the benefits of your community Pharmacy from your phone 😊

Charac - Apps on Google Play

Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 13 to 19 May 2024.

For Mental Health Awareness Week 2024, MIND are launching . We’re calling on you to raise awareness and vital funds for a future where everyone can get quality mental health care when they need it.

Every year, 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem.

But too many of us aren’t getting the help we need.

Over 2 million people are waiting for NHS mental health services, and since 2017 the number of young people struggling with their mental health has nearly doubled.

People tell us they feel overwhelmed and hopeless. They need support right now. With your help we can build a better future, where mental health is handled right.

On our own, we can’t reach everyone. That’s why we’re calling on all political parties in this election year to commit to making sure that everyone can access support when they need it.

MIND can only continue to provide our support services with your vital donations. Help support the campaign by sharing on socials

If you are in need of help, there are many tools and groups that CAN and WILL give you support. You won't be left behind.
https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/

The Pharmacy First Service allows community pharmacists to supply prescription-only medicines, including antibiotics and antivirals, where clinically appropriate, to treat seven common health conditions without the need to visit a GP.

By reducing the number of patients with common conditions,
Pharmacy First aims to free up 10 million GP appointments a year, by next winter for more complex diagnosis.

So, don't suffer in silence and put off getting prescribed treatment and professional healthcare advice, for the sake of not being able to visit your GP.

Remember "Pharmacy First"!!!

Adults who are 40 years old or over, who do not have a current diagnosis of hypertension, are eligible for a free blood pressure check at our Pharmacy everyday that we are open.

High blood pressure can go undetected for years until it causes a heart attack, stroke, or death.

Take advantage of this opportunity to check the health of your heart ♥️🩺
No appointment necessary

COVID-19 lateral flow tests are supplied free of charge by our community pharmacies as part of an advanced service for eligible patients.

We provide a walk-in service for patients aged over 12 years who are at risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19.

Eligibility criteria for free tests is available here:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta878/chapter/5-Supporting-information-on-risk-factors-for-progression-to-severe-COVID19

Pharmacists will confirm a patient’s eligibility for the tests by seeing their NHS letter or having a discussion with the patient (or their representative) about the patient’s medical history; or referring to the pharmacy’s clinical records if the pharmacy has previously seen and made a record of having seen a copy of the patient’s NHS letter.

We are here to support our eligible, at-risk patients and provide access to a service no longer available via GOV.UK or NHS 119.

‼️ 💉 Spring Booster 2024 available at our Pharmacy from 22nd April 💉🦠‼️

COVID-19 is more serious in older people and in people with certain underlying health conditions. For these reasons, people aged 75 years and over, those in care homes, and those aged 6 months and over with a weakened immune system are being offered a spring dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

If you are turning 75 years of age between April and June, you do not have to wait until your birthday, you can attend when you are called for vaccination.

You will be invited for your booster, with those at highest risk being called up first.

Online bookings will be available from 15th April, on the NHS app https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/ or at www.nhs.co.uk/covidvaccine

Alternatively, call ☎️ 119 to book an appointment or look out for our walk-in clinic dates (no appointment necessary) on our page from 22nd April onwards.

*please bring your NHS invite with you to your appointment

🛑 Please show your support by signing this petition ✍️ Government funding is necessary for the survival of your community Pharmacy.

The harsh reality is that without immediate financial support, countless local pharmacies will be forced to close their doors permanently.

I hope you’ll agree that’s unthinkable when so many people are struggling to see their GPs and the NHS is under massive pressure.

Every local pharmacy closure is a blow to the local community who depend on its vital services.

It also increases pressure on the pharmacies that manage to remain afloat despite chronic underfunding.

And what’s so frustrating is that given the proper funding, local pharmacies could do so much more for patients, thereby reducing the overall pressure on the NHS.

Every day counts. With 8 pharmacies closing their doors every week, the clock is ticking, and the survival of our local pharmacies hangs in the balance. This may be the last chance to before a General Election.

Sign the Petition Join my fight to save our local pharmacies

Pharmacy First is a service that allows our professional, knowledgeable & qualified Pharmacists to diagnose your symptoms for the below seven ailments, without the need to see a doctor. They can provide treatment, prescribe suitable medication and give you informed advice.

Don’t suffer unnecessarily if you suspect you have any of the below conditions.
Visit your Pharmacy First! 🧑🏻‍⚕️

⏰ Don’t be caught short for medication over the Easter Bank Holiday. Anyone taking regular prescription medication should make sure they have enough to last over the Bank Holiday weekend💊
Be prepared, order early and collect on time ⏰

‼️ Our Pharmacy offers free blood pressure checks!!! 🩺♥️

You can get your blood pressure checked at a pharmacy without seeing a GP, if you live in England and are aged 40 or over.

A pharmacist, or member of the pharmacy team, will wrap a blood pressure cuff around your upper arm to measure your blood pressure. They will then share the result with you.

Depending on the result, they might:

give you advice to support healthy living
give you a blood pressure monitor to take home with you and return later
advise you to see a GP

If you’re registered with a GP surgery, your GP health record will be updated automatically.

Pop into our Pharmacy and get your blood pressure checked today.

Free blood pressure check | NHS If left undetected high blood pressure could lead to a fatal heart attack or stroke. For your free NHS blood pressure check, just go to your pharmacy today. ...

Did you know that high blood pressure usually
has no symptoms? You could be one of millions
living with high blood pressure without knowing
it. Left untreated, high blood pressure can
significantly increase your risk of a fatal heart
attack, stroke and dementia. The only way to
know if you have high blood pressure is to get
a blood pressure test.

We are proud to support the free NHS blood
pressure check service in our pharmacies, which
could significantly save lives.

Over 40?
Get your check in one of our pharmacies today

*NHS services - eligibility criteria apply*

🆘🤔 Need healthcare advice? Thinking ‘Pharmacy First’ makes it easier to get help.

Skip the morning rush to see a GP by visiting your pharmacy if you suspect you have one of seven minor conditions. 🤒🩹

🔍 Find the service at a pharmacy near you: https://bit.ly/3vPV09F

Staying Alive is a free mobile app which provides defibrillator mapping in your location. The app is in 18 languages and maps over 320,000 defibrillators worldwide.

With Staying Alive you can locate your nearest defibrillator, learn and carry out CPR, and potentially save a life.

Staying Alive

View your health records, order repeat prescriptions and much more. Manage your health the easy way with the NHS App.

Find out how you can securely view your health records in the NHS App

➡️ nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/view-your-gp-health-record

18,942 women had cancers detected through breast screening last year.

Regular breast screening can find breast cancer before you notice any symptoms.

If you have been invited but missed or did not book your appointment, you can arrange one here: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-health-services/breast-screening-services

With death rates rising as a result of heart disease, the NHS are highlighting the preventative measures they have put in place to detect and prevent cardiovascular disease, with many of our Pharmacies helping patients with weight management, quitting smoking and providing free BP checks.

Do you know the signs of a heart attack?

The symptoms are:
• Squeezing or pain across the chest
• Sweating
• A feeling of uneasiness
• Pain that radiates down the left arm, or both arms, or to the neck, jaw, back or stomach
• Difficulty breathing (snoring or rasping)
• Rapid heart beat
• Low or undetectable heart beat
• Blue or pale tingling of knees, hands and lips
• Nausea or coughing up blood
• Unconsciousness
• Seizures or fitting

Always call 999 in the case of a suspected heart attack and speak to your healthcare provider, GP and/or Pharmacist for proactive measures & advice on improving your cardiovascular health.

Heart disease warning as early deaths at highest rate in more than a decade The premature death rate for cardiovascular disease has risen year-on-year since 2020, with the latest figures showing it reached 80 per 100,000 people in England in 2022 - the highest rate since 2011 when it was 83.

Exciting news! 🎉 Starting January 31, 2024, Pharmacy First will be launching, bringing you a FREE NHS-led initiative that aims to ease the burden on GPs while harnessing the expertise of pharmacy teams nationwide. Our skilled pharmacists will be able to treat a range of conditions, offering prescriptions for necessary medications, including antibiotics when required.

Conditions include:

- Sinusitis (Sinus Infection) 12 years Plus
- Throat Infection 5 years plus
- Ear Infection 1 year plus
- Infected Skin Bites 1 year plus
- Impetigo (Bacterial Skin Infection) 1 year plus
- Shingles 18 years plus
- Female Urinary Tract infection 18 years to 64 years

If you fall outside these age ranges, please continue to reach out to your GP. Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this new chapter in providing accessible and timely healthcare! 💊🏥

ATTENTION PATIENTS:

• Are you frustrated with your medication being out of stock?

• Worried about the risk of medicine shortages on your health?

Watch this video and then write to your local MP to make a difference.

Your voice counts.

https://youtu.be/yUQO0azfRjM?feature=shared

Support your local Pharmacy

Record drug shortages, customer abuse and crisis in Britain's pharmacies | ITV News Around eight of Britain's pharmacies a week are closing down, while those which stay open face record drug shortages, abuse from customers and a £1.3 billion...

Patients can access NHS services through the free NHS App 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Access is quick and secure and allows patients to book appointments and order repeat prescriptions without the need to be held in a queue by busy practice telephone lines. The App also has access to a number of other services including symptom checkers, NHS 111 and online consultations and is widely described as ‘a digital front door to GP practice services’.