NHS England has launched Stay Well Pharmacy, a campaign using TV advertising and posters to encourage people to use their local pharmacy as a first port of call for minor health concerns.

Running from 12 February to 31 March, the campaign aims to increase the public’s trust and confidence in community pharmacy teams as the place to go for clinical advice for minor health concerns, and encouraging people to use pharmacies rather than visiting their GP as a first port of call.

Three key symptoms will be the focus of the campaign:

• Sore throats
• Coughs and colds
• Tummy problems.

The national pharmacy organisations have compiled a one-stop resources hub to coincide with the campaign, linking to all the most up-to-date clinical resources that can help pharmacy teams manage minor illnesses in their customers and identify any red flag symptoms.

Commenting on the health campaign, John Smith, PAGB chief executive, said: “PAGB and its member companies will be fully supporting the new “Stay Well Pharmacy” campaign. Pharmacists are ideally placed to give people advice and support them to self care for minor health concerns, ensuring they get fast access to effective treatments, without the need to wait for a GP appointment or visit A&E. Not only is this better for the individual, but it saves NHS resources and GP’s time for the people who really need it. We’re delighted, therefore, that the Stay Well Pharmacy campaign will signpost people to visit their local pharmacy and hope lots more people will make the pharmacist their first port of call for advice on treating their minor health concerns.”