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Durham City pharmacy hosts MP visit

Durham City MP, Roberta Blackman-Woods, visited a community pharmacy in her constituency for a lively discussion about issues dominating the pharmacy landscape.

Greg Burke, Chief Officer of the Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC), joined staff from Bowburn pharmacy in welcoming Roberta.

It was very reassuring to hear Roberta’s strong support for community pharmacy and for her to acknowledge the fantastic work being done by pharmacies throughout her constituency and beyond.

Roberta is aware of the current consultation regarding community pharmacy funding and the possible implications of the Government’s proposals for pharmacy, and more importantly, for patient care. Roberta has agreed to try to raise the issues as Parliamentary Questions in the House of Commons.

Pictured with Roberta are (from the left) Hieu Truong Van (pharmacist), Phyllis Whitburn (pharmacist), Nigel Nimmo (pharmacist) and Greg Burke (LPC Chief Officer.

Better Health Programme

The NHS Better Health Programme is hosting a second series of engagement events during May. Click here for details on the programme and how to register for one of the events.

Phil Wilson accepts capaign cards Local MP shows support for community pharmacy (15/04/16)

In response to a letter received from the Local Pharmaceutical Committee, Mr Phil Wilson, MP for Sedgefield, visited AD Phillips pharmacy in Trimdon Colliery recently to demonstrate his backing for the Support Your Local Pharmacy campaign.

Colin Vallance (far right), pharmacist at AD Phillips and LPC member, handed Mr Wilson almost 300 campaign cards signed by concerned patients. Colin was also able to inform Mr Wilson that almost 2000 patients of the pharmacies in the Trimdons and Sedgefield had signed the National Pharmacy Association petition urging the Government to abandon its plans to cut pharmacy funding. Pictured with Phil Wilson and Colin Vallance are (from the left) Greg Burke, Chief Officer of County Durham Darlington LPC and pharmacy contractor Alan Phillips.

Mr Wilson has agreed to raise the issues with the Government and will use the campaign cards as evidence of the strength of local feeling.

This information is provided to us by NHS England and may be subject to change. We recommend that you telephone a Pharmacy to check they are open and can provide the service you need before you set off.

Prescription Charge Rises to £8.40 (18/03/16)

The government has announced an increase to the NHS prescription charge of 20 pence, to £8.40 per prescription item. This change came into effect from 1st April 2016.

The cost of prescription pre-payment certificates (PPCs) has remained the same for a further year, with the price of a three-month PPC at £29.10 and a 12-month PPC at £104. PPCs offer savings for those needing four or more items in three months or more than 13 items in one year.

Sexual health services in Darlington (15/02/16)

Click below for details of how to access sexual health services in Darlington

Sexual Health in Darlington (258KB) February 2016

GP Saturday morning surgeries in Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield (Updated 30/03/16)

Are you registered with a GP practice in the Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield areas? If so, click here for information about weekend opening.

Weekend Access to GP Appointments (DDES) (231KB)

GP Saturday morning surgeries in North Durham (06/05/15)

Are you registered with a GP practice in the North Durham area? If so, click here for information about weekend opening.

Weekend Access to GP Appointments (ND) (100KB)

Pre-bookable Weekend Surgeries in Darlington (08/05/15)

Pre-bookable weekend appointments are available to all patients of Darlington who struggle to attend their surgery during the working week due to work commitments, childcare problems or needing a carer to attend with you. These appointments are available on a Saturday and Sunday between 8.00 and 2.00 and are booked through the patient’s own surgery. All weekend appointments are held at Denmark Street Surgery Annexe with parking and pharmacy facilities on site. The surgeries are covered by local Darlington doctors who, with your consent, will have full access to your medical records to help with your ongoing care.’

More information can be accessed through Healthcare Darlington Ltd’s website: http://primaryhealthcaredarlington.co.uk/ via the 'Services' tab.

Independent Advocacy for NHS Complaints (11/06/13)

There have been some significant changes in the provision of NHS Complaints Advocacy across England from 1st April 2013. The Carers Federation is continuing to support people to make a complaint about NHS services in Co Durham and Darlington. To contact them telephone: 0808 802 3000 or visit www.carersfederation.co.uk/services/independent-complaints-advocacy/

A range of services available from your local pharmacy

Your local community pharmacy provides a wide range of services over and above the dispensing of your medicines. Click on the link below to access an information leaflet detailing what those services are. Not all pharmacies provide all the services listed: if you visit a pharmacy and they don’t provide the service you need they will signpost you to the nearest pharmacy that will be able to help you.

Services from County Durham & Darlington Pharmacies

Make use of your local pharmacist

Gone are the days when the white-coated pharmacist stayed in the back of the shop counting out pills and checking medicine bottles. Nowadays, although pharmacists still carry out their core business of making up prescriptions, they are also kept busy providing expert advice to their customers.

Choose Well

Newton Aycliffe pharmacist Rob Pitt reckons he talks to between 40 and 50 people every day, sometimes over the counter and sometimes for a more confidential chat in a private part of the shop.

“ If someone has tried self treatment for a condition, for example, a sniffley nose in winter, and they are still not happy with it, they can come to us. When I can help with treatment, I will or I might advise people to go to their GP or signpost them to other places they can get help.

`’Usually we are not restricted by appointments and some pharmacies are open at least six days a week. So people can drop in at a time that’s convenient to them and get one to one advice for minor ailments like coughs, headaches or diarrhoea. Or they can phone us if they prefer.”

Most people have a pharmacy close to their homes – in fact nationally, 96% of the population have a shop within 20 minutes of where they live. And often people find they can talk more freely in an informal chat with their pharmacist, who is a highly skilled health professional with at least five years training and practical experience.