Listen: Dr Hilary Jones calls on Brits to consider pharmacy first

A snapshot poll of UK GPs shows nearly nine in 10 (87%) have spent more time on minor illnesses this winter than is typical.

In fact, half (53%) of the doctors surveyed say a quarter or more of their appointments deal with minor conditions that could be treated by a pharmacist, while a third (31%) spend over an hour on these cases each and every day.

Public knowledge of how pharmacies can help with their health is low, with half of UK adults (50%) admitting they don’t understand which symptoms can be treated at a pharmacy through Pharmacy First.

Despite pharmacists in the UK being highly trained – undergoing a minimum of 5 years formal training before they can practice independently – the figures published by Asda Pharmacy show more than one in 10 Brits (11%) are unable to name a single condition pharmacists can treat.

Aston spoke to TV’s Dr Hilary Jones.