minor ailments scheme - information!

[MaeBee]

hi,
maybe you all know about this anyway, but there is a (new?) scheme for minor ailments to reduce the queues in GP surgeries. basically, anyone entitled to free prescriptions (eg anyone under 16) can get minor ailments treated at the chemist so they don't have to go to the doctor.
eg., my baby recently teething, took him to the chemist and got calpol free. i've got a cold sore coming on and am on income support so i got free Zovirax-type stuff.
its really useful to know about. ask in your local chemist and register.
you just need to give basic info for their PC.

Problem is, the chemists aren't medically qualified to diagnose and this causes all sorts of problems

i guess so littleboo, although i think chemists are able to prescribe? and they do undertake long training? anyway, most of the time i know exactly what i want when somethings wrong: eg., the calpol thing! i tend to diagnose myself long before i go to see a doctor.