TRAFFORD residents are being urged to take advantage of the full range of healthcare and advice available in their neighbourhood pharmacy, rather than heading straight to their GP or hospital emergency department.

Pharmacies across the borough now provide a huge range of services including blood pressure and blood sugar checks, treatment of minor ailments and illnesses, and flu vaccinations.

There’s no need to book an appointment and, with GPs and hospital services under ever increasing strain, they are the ideal first port of call for healthcare support and advice, say pharmacy bosses. Many are also open extended hours seven days a week.

Pharmacist Edward Teggart, from Broomwood Pharmacy in Timperley, said: “We really encourage people to ask about anything that is worrying them – there’s no such thing as a silly question. You can ask us about any health concerns you have or any medication queries.

“We’re local, accessible and we can often pick up underlying issues including blood pressure, diabetes or even something more serious.

"We advised one lady who was coming in for high-strength heartburn medication that didn’t seem to be working to go back and see her GP. It turned out she had cancer.

"She has had it treated successfully and is now clear of cancer but if she hadn’t been coming in regularly to the pharmacy it might have gone undiagnosed for a long time.”

On top of traditional services like dispensing medicines and over-the-counter remedies, most pharmacies provide a vast array of additional health expertise and care. For example, they can check people’s blood pressure, advise them how to use inhalers correctly, and review their medication and then liaise with their GP.

Many provide urgent care for minor ailments such as sprains, fever, conjunctivitis, stomach complaints, urine infections, thrush and headlice, avoiding the need for people to see their GP.

Pharmacies across Trafford are also providing specialist support to help people live healthier lifestyles, including ongoing support to stop smoking or lose weight.

The NHS is encouraging people to use the pharmacy as their first port of call for advice and care on minor ailments and general health queries.

Adam Irvine, chief executive of Greater Manchester Local Pharmaceutical Committee, said: “Pharmacies are a fantastic source of expert healthcare and advice. They’re at the heart of every community, staffed by qualified professionals and you don’t need an appointment, making us the most accessible form of healthcare.

“With GPs and hospitals under increasing strain, pharmacies are more needed than ever so people can access the care they need whenever they need it. Community pharmacies are a vital part of the vision for primary care across Greater Manchester.”