Care at the Chemist

[jet44]

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned here but if you are entitled to free prscriptions then you can also register for Care at the Chemist.
It is primarily for minor ailments but well worth it as medicines can be quite expensive. You have to register with one chemist but you can receive treatment free for many minor ailments. I can't find much on the internet about it but my chemist did say that they didn't want everyone to know about it so I guess the NHS is trying to keep a lid on this one.

[Ellie2758]

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned here but if you are entitled to free prscriptions then you can also register for Care at the Chemist.
It is primarily for minor ailments but well worth it as medicines can be quite expensive. You have to register with one chemist but you can receive treatment free for many minor ailments. I can't find much on the internet about it but my chemist did say that they didn't want everyone to know about it so I guess the NHS is trying to keep a lid on this one.

Are there any criteria for this? What I mean is, I get free prescriptions because I am on thyroxine for life. Would care at the chemist apply to me, or is it for people who qualify for free prescriptions because they are on benefits?

[recovering spendaholic]

I think that if you get free prescriptions then you can get Care at the Chemist. I find it really useful for my kids.

[sallywl]

I saw this advertised once at a chemist back home in sheffield, its been taken down since and not seen it here down south, I wasnt sure it was a national thing?

if it is i may use it in the future

[jet44]

I think it is a national scheme and the best place to find out is a chemist. It is being kept very quiet I think so you will need to ask.

I think the criteria is that you have to be entitled to free prescriptions.

I'm not sure about the reasons being an issue as my daughter (age 20) is entitled to free prescriptions because she has Epilepsy and she is also entitled to Care at the Chemist so it seems that it applies to anyone who is entitled to free prescriptions.

We are finding it very helpful especially with the winter coming and coughs and colds around etc.

[Ellie2758]

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned here but if you are entitled to free prscriptions then you can also register for Care at the Chemist.
It is primarily for minor ailments but well worth it as medicines can be quite expensive. You have to register with one chemist but you can receive treatment free for many minor ailments. I can't find much on the internet about it but my chemist did say that they didn't want everyone to know about it so I guess the NHS is trying to keep a lid on this one.

So if I register for it at Boots will I get even more points AND free stuff??!!:T

[jet44]

So if I register for it at Boots will I get even more points AND free stuff??!!:T

I've no idea but always worth a try. If you don't ask you don't get has always been a fav of mine.:D

[Ellie2758]

I've no idea but always worth a try. If you don't ask you don't get has always been a fav of mine.:D

I've just googled it and it doesnt appear to be as simple as it seemed. Surprise surprise. It dates back to 2001 and it seems that if you ring your surgery for an appt because of one of the 12 listed minor complaints, they offer to refer you to the pharmacist. If you agree they fill out a form for you to present to the pharmacist who receives £1.50 for his trouble. it's because patients who get free prescriptions prefer to attend the GP for minor ailments as they will get their paracetamol, hair lice lotion, indigestion remedies etc FOC. This way they still get them free but the GP doesnt have to waste valuable time on them.

Probably best if you wear your jumble sale clothes and go to a chemist in an area with lots of peeps on benefits. No offence. (viz The Fast Show)

[Ellie2758]

I've no idea but always worth a try. If you don't ask you don't get has always been a fav of mine.:D

I've just googled it and it doesnt appear to be as simple as it seemed. Surprise surprise. It dates back to 2001 and it seems that if you ring your surgery for an appt because of one of the 12 listed minor complaints, they offer to refer you to the pharmacist. If you agree they fill out a form for you to present to the pharmacist who receives £1.50 for his trouble. it's because patients who get free prescriptions prefer to attend the GP for minor ailments as they will get their paracetamol, hair lice lotion, indigestion remedies etc FOC. This way they still get them free but the GP doesnt have to waste valuable time on them.

Probably best if you wear your jumble sale clothes and go to a chemist in an area with lots of peeps on benefits. No offence. (viz The Fast Show)

[jet44]

I've just googled it and it doesnt appear to be as simple as it seemed. Surprise surprise. It dates back to 2001 and it seems that if you ring your surgery for an appt because of one of the 12 listed minor complaints, they offer to refer you to the pharmacist. If you agree they fill out a form for you to present to the pharmacist who receives £1.50 for his trouble. it's because patients who get free prescriptions prefer to attend the GP for minor ailments as they will get their paracetamol, hair lice lotion, indigestion remedies etc FOC. This way they still get them free but the GP doesnt have to waste valuable time on them.

Probably best if you wear your jumble sale clothes and go to a chemist in an area with lots of peeps on benefits. No offence. (viz The Fast Show)

It was simple here and I didn't have to phone my GP at all. I first went to the chemist in my local Tesco who explained the scheme, gave me a leaflet and application forms.
I decided to use a different chemist nearer to my home so I took the completed forms to the chemist and they gave me the medication I needed for the particular problem. Very simple in my opinion.

I'm not sure what you mean about wearing my jumble sale clothes and going to an area with lots of peeps on benefits though. That seems a little disrepectful to me. I know you stated no offence but it is still an offensive remark to make regardless.

I am on benefits as a carer for my 2 disabled children so I don't need to go anywhere to look poor. I am poor.

[Ellie2758]

It was simple here and I didn't have to phone my GP at all. I first went to the chemist in my local Tesco who explained the scheme, gave me a leaflet and application forms.
I decided to use a different chemist nearer to my home so I took the completed forms to the chemist and they gave me the medication I needed for the particular problem. Very simple in my opinion.

I'm not sure what you mean about wearing my jumble sale clothes and going to an area with lots of peeps on benefits though. That seems a little disrepectful to me. I know you stated no offence but it is still an offensive remark to make regardless.

I am on benefits as a carer for my 2 disabled children so I don't need to go anywhere to look poor. I am poor.

Sorry, I didnt mean it to sound like that. I've been in your position - had 2 kids on DLA myself. However, mine are older now and I have gone back to work so no longer get the benefits we once relied on to survive. I would feel a bit of a fraud as the only reason I get free prescriptions is because the medication I am on is a lifetime thing.

[jet44]

OK Ellie, no problem.
Mine are still on DLA and both have a lifelong disability. Because of the years of caring I am also disabled now as is my OH so we will be unable to work ever again.
Any help with the ordinary meds are very welcome for us as well as anything I can save by coming here and hunting around.

I'm so pleased your children have grown and hopefully become independent.

Good luck to you and yours.:)

[Ellie2758]

Well I still have one left on DLA - she will be lifelong. What I meant was all the attendant stuff like ICA and the premium you could claim on your council tax no longer apply to us. OH and I both work (whereas at one point neither of us did) so I would feel a bit guilty claiming free meds as well as free prescriptions.

[jet44]

I don't think you should feel guilty at all, afterall you have spent a good part of your lives caring. It is a valuable and worthwhile job which would have cost the powers that be many thousands of pounds a year.

Good luck anyway whatever you decide to do about it. And all the very best to your daughter.:wave:

[Tustastic]

Well done to jet44 and Ellie2758 for services to parenthood and the nation as well as your children. Supporting carers is a really useful way to spend our taxes.
On a frivolous and saucy note, I have just googled the Care at the Chemist scheme and found this document. http://www.rpsgb.org.uk/pdfs/minail.pdf
I scrolled down to find out which 12 minor ailments are covered and was gobsmacked to read the first one.:o

[jet44]

On a frivolous and saucy note, I have just googled the Care at the Chemist scheme and found this document. http://www.rpsgb.org.uk/pdfs/minail.pdf
I scrolled down to find out which 12 minor ailments are covered and was gobsmacked to read the first one.:o

I'm not sure what to say really but yes it is covered on the scheme. Mind you they also advertise these medications on the TV so I guess we shouldn't be surprised really.

Thanks for your kind words regarding caring. It's just a shame that the government don't regard carers as being worth more than £46 per week for the job they do. But that's a different issue altogether.

[Tustastic]

Let's hope they meant thrush....

[Sam_26]

The Care at the Chemist scheme is a local minor ailments scheme. Its offered by certain PCTs, in relation to the needs of the population.

For example in our area:

South Sefton PCT offer the Scheme
West Lancs PCT don't offer the scheme
Preston PCT offer the scheme
Chorley & South Ribble PCT offer the scheme.

Its all to do with where your GP is situated, whether he allows his practice to be signed up and local funds available.

[jet44]

Many thanks for that info Sam_26. The more info the better.:T

[keatergreyhound]

we used to have it in Leicester but they let go on the scheme cause it costs to much to run. Shame as it was very handy

[Ellie2758]

Well done to jet44 and Ellie2758 for services to parenthood and the nation as well as your children. Supporting carers is a really useful way to spend our taxes.
On a frivolous and saucy note, I have just googled the Care at the Chemist scheme and found this document. http://www.rpsgb.org.uk/pdfs/minail.pdf
I scrolled down to find out which 12 minor ailments are covered and was gobsmacked to read the first one.:o

ROFL :rotfl: