Treating of Minor Ailments using Patient Group Directions
Pharmacy Staff
Your Pharmacist has recently undertaken further training in treating patients with minor ailments and is now
able to offer a new service to your customers. This service allows community pharmacists to supply
prescription only medicines for the treatment of commonly occurring minor ailments under Patient Group
Directions.
The scheme also improves patient access to health care, providing a quality one-stop service. It also frees
up GP time allowing them to see more urgent cases and puts the skills and knowledge of the pharmacist to
better use.
Patients must be registered with a doctor in Cornwall or be a temporary resident (a person who is
registered with a GP in the United Kingdom).
NB: (see separate list for surgeries and doctors involved in Cornwall)
Patient Group Directions
Is a legal document which lays down the inclusion and exclusion criteria for treating a particular minor
ailment and allows a prescription only medicine to be supplied without a prescription.
Only Pharmacists who have signed the PGD are able to supply the medicines.
NB, if your pharmacist is off sick or on holiday and the locum covering for the day is unable to provide this
service please telephone the local surgeries to inform them. Also direct any customers requiring this service
to the nearest pharmacy that provides this service (see list in folder)
Minor Ailments to be treated.
Please refer all customers requesting treatment for any of the following minor ailments to the Pharmacist on
duty, who after discussing with the patient may decide to supply one of the medicines listed here.
Conjunctivitis (Red/sticky eyes) (children over 1)
Conjunctivitis (children over 1)
Cystitis/ Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women
Impetigo
Nappy Rash
Fucithalmic eye drops
Chloramphenicol drops
Trimethoprim
Fucidin cream
Timodine cream.
Those customers who are seeking advice about cystitis will be asked by the pharmacist for a urine sample.
Sterile urine pots can be obtained from the surgery or ask the patient to provide a sample in a container that
has been washed and well rinsed to remove all soap residue.
Surgery Staff will remind patients of this service at the time that they phone to make an appointment.
Payment.
A fee equivalent to a prescription charges will apply for those people who usually pay. Do not ring this
money through the till as a prescription charge.
For exempt patients they will sign a form similar to the back of a prescription form.
Posters will be on display at the surgery and also in the Pharmacies.
Patients may be referred to the Pharmacist from the surgery.
MASG/OCT06/ISSUE004