Residents in New Parks, Leicester, are set to benefit from a new pilot programme that will distribute 300 medicine boxes through community drop-in sessions while raising awareness of how local pharmacies can provide fast access to expert advice, treatment and, where appropriate, prescription medicines for a range of common conditions.
The Right Care Right Place Community Pharmacy Support Initiative aims to support self-care, reduce health inequalities and help ensure Emergency Departments are available for those who need them most.
Delivered in partnership between Team Hub CIC and Well Chemist (New Parks Pharmacist), the initiative combines community outreach with practical health education to help residents make informed decisions about where to seek care when they become unwell.
The 300 medicine boxes will contain everyday healthcare essentials, including pain relief medication, allergy remedies, first aid supplies and cough and cold treatments. Each box will also include information on self-care, local NHS services and where to go for the right support when it is needed.
Alongside the distribution of medicine boxes, residents will be able to attend community sessions offering advice on managing minor illnesses at home, using medicines safely and accessing the most appropriate NHS service. The sessions will also promote Pharmacy First, which allows community pharmacists to assess and treat seven common conditions without the need for a GP appointment. These include sore throat, earache, sinusitis, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women. Where appropriate, pharmacists can provide prescription medicines, helping people receive treatment more quickly and reducing pressure on other NHS services.
The initiative is expected to help more people access care quickly and closer to home while reducing avoidable demand on urgent and emergency care services, allowing Emergency Departments to focus on patients with the most serious and life-threatening conditions.
Chief Medical Officer Nil Sanganee for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and Northamptonshire ICBs said: “Community pharmacies are a vital part of the NHS and can provide expert advice, prescriptions and treatment for many common health conditions without the need for a GP appointment. Through this pilot, we want to raise awareness of Pharmacy First, encourage greater confidence in self-care and help residents understand the support available within their local community.
“The distribution of medicine boxes provides a practical way of engaging with residents and starting conversations about where to go when they need healthcare advice. By helping people get the right care in the right place, we can support healthier communities while reducing pressure on Emergency Departments and other NHS services.”
Gary O’Donnell, Director at Team Hub New Parks said: “This pilot is about taking trusted health information directly into communities and making it easier for people to access support. Working with local pharmacy colleagues, we can help residents learn more about the services available to them, feel more confident managing minor illnesses and know where to turn when they need help.”
