AIBU to wonder how people are so shortsighted?

[NHSisfubar]

There is a link currently doing the rounds on Facebook saying that you can sign up at Boots for 'free' non prescription medicines such as plasters and cough syrup on (what appears to be) an NHS scheme. So thousands of people are tagging each other saying 'oooh look Maude; you can get free plasters for baby Harold' (names chosen at random..). Fine if Maude is really on the breadline and baby Harold really needs this stuff but it looks like a lot of grabby freeloaders in general who could happily afford to buy their own plasters.

Having looked online it does appear to be a genuine NHS scheme across all pharmacies. So now people are going to be signing up to get more 'FREE' stuff. No wonder the NHS is nearly collapsing. AIBU in thinking it's ridiculous and people should keep the NHS for actual emergency care?

Should clarify that it's a scheme for free child medicines

Don't you know they have paid their taxes so are entitled to this

They run this scheme at my local pharmacy but it's only for people who get certain benefits so its not a free for all as such. I wonder if its the same scheme. When i was out of work i got some head lice treatment for free for DS but i would never ask for free plasters!

I think it's to discourage the worried well from making appts with GPs or other HCP's for minor ailments.
I assume it has been costed up and giving away 'freebies' is less costly than GP's spending time looking at cracked heels or discussing nit lotions iyswim.

Yes its free to those who already get free prescriptions - under 16 - yes to stop gps time being wasted. Nit solution is expensive to those on the bread line and yes it should be free. I understand those who can afford it should pay - but kids dont earn any money.

This isn't new, my local pharmacist has been running it for years.

It's not new here either.

Yep saw it this morning. Think it has conditions. www.boots.com/en/Pharmacy-Health/Health-pharmacy-services/Pharmacy-services-support/I-need-more-information/Minor-ailments-service-NHS/

Minor ailment scheme. .We get free prescriptions for anyone in Scotland as well. I honestly wouldn't mind paying for such things but the pharmacist insists usually.

It's not new here either... Although I would be surprised if it's for stuff like plasters.

It probably would cost more to more selectively means test that people self selectively means testing and opting in or out.

Personally I have never used this. Even now I know I would buy the stuff unless my financial circumstances significantly altered.

Note - It says selected stores.

Scotland has a national minor ailments service - England does not. Each CCG will decide if they want a service, who is eligible and what products are available.

A patient will need a consultation with a pharmacist or member of qualified staff who will decide what is needed - medication, self-care, referral etc.

It is not a way to fill your medicine cabinets with a pick and mix range for the future.

Its been running for a long time. But you can't just rock up to a chemist and demand stuff, you have to have a reason. And you only get enough treatment for one child for eg if you ask for worming treatment, you only get one dose and you have to go back in a fortnight if they still have symptoms

PP are right though, it keeps the worried well out of the GP, taking up appointments when all they need is some cough syrup

It's not new and it is not just offered by Boots! I'm in Scotland and I think it runs slightly differently here but there are conditions. You can only get certain medicines on it, certain brands, and it should only be used when someone has the illness and not to stock up cupboards. AFAIK you couldn't get plasters on it cos you wouldn't be able to get them prescribed by the GP either.

Minor ailment service is there to try and take pressure off other NHS services - do you understand that?
It's not new and not limited to Boots and has avoided a whole ton of Calpol prescribing here.

If your pharmacy runs a minor ailment service for eczema, for example, it means your pharmacist can supply medicines for this condition and you'll only pay the standard prescription charge. If you're exempt from paying prescription charges – for example, because you're over 60 – you won't pay for the medicine at all.
www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Pharmacy/Pages/Commonconditions.aspx

It applies to everyone who's exempt. I think babies and toddlers do get free prescriptions, don't they?

None of the pharmacies in my town deliver this scheme :( I agree, it should be all pharmacies!

AFAIK you couldn't get plasters on it cos you wouldn't be able to get them prescribed by the GP either.

Yeah, but you've always been able to go and get a small wound treated at the pharmacy. Perhaps people just didn't know?

If it's for non prescription items then why should the NHS have anything to do with it PacificDogwood? If people are bothering their doctor for nit lotion for example rather than walking to a supermarket and buying it themselves then that is a prime example of why the NHS is overstretched. I understand those on the very edge of poverty can use this scheme to good effect but it sounds very open to abuse.

Ah, well, that's a whole other question: 'Should over-the-counter items be available on prescription at all?'
Good question that I will decline to answer here.

Where I work we have a MAS in a very deprived area of the town. People there can barely afford to live, let alone pay £10 plus for Head lice solution, so they would ask their GP, attend the out of hours service, turn up at A&E etc.

It's all very well saying buy your own stuff, but what do you do when you can't afford to? I really think some of you need OP to take off your rose-tinted glasses and see just how hard it is for some of our more vulnerable patients to make ends meet.

Our scheme covers a range of products covering head lice, thread worms, aches and pains, coughs, colds, strains and sprains (yes you can get tubigrip, melolin and micropore) etc.

Loxley; please read the above; 'I understand those on the very edge of poverty can use this scheme to good effect but it sounds very open to abuse.'

Yes fine for those in genuine need. My point was the sheer amount of people commenting on the Facebook thread going 'whoopee, free stuff!'. We should always help those in genuine need but it seems many of those commenting (including some close friends of mine) do NOT need this 'free' service.

The thing is that policing a scheme like this would cost more than it saves.

I find the 'short-sighted' in your thread title quite ironic

It's called care at the chemist and has been in operation for years and years.
As others have said it takes the pressure off GPs by providing treatment for minor ailments at the chemist free of charge to those who don't pay prescription charges.

You can't just go and stock up on things though and I seriously doubt it covers plasters!

Perhaps this scheme works out more cost effective for the NHS because it reduces pressure on GPS / out of hours services/ A&E etc ?

Well it is surely shortsighted to not think that 'do I really need to use this service or can I sort this out myself?' and in future years find that these services are entirely gone to those who really do need it? Or when your child has a need for serious medical help that there is no longer a budget provision for that.