Useful information for patients
Flu vaccination
Pharmacies offer:
- NHS Flu Vaccinations to eligible patients age 18 years and over
- Private flu vaccinations (age range dependent on pharmacy, with many able to vaccinate children privately)
- Flu vaccinations funded by employers (check with your employer to see if they have a scheme in place)
A list of pharmacies in Gloucestershire can be accessed by visiting NHS Choices. Alternatively you can search for local pharmacies by postcode.
Map of Gloucestershire Pharmacies – click on the image to go to an interactive map on the Batchgeo web siteNHS Flu Vaccinations to eligible patients age 18 years and over
- Pharmacies in Gloucestershire offering flu vaccinations 2017/18 (including free NHS jabs to those eligible).
Flu is passed on through coughing, sneezing or via contact with infected surfaces or people. Most flu outbreaks usually happen in autumn or winter, and, for most people, it’s unpleasant – but if you are otherwise healthy it will usually clear up on its own within a week. The web site http://www.treatyourselfbetter.co.uk/ is very useful if you are suffering from a cough, cold, flu or sore throat. Your pharmacist will be able to advise on suitable over-the-counter treatments.
Flu can be more severe in certain people, such as:
- anyone aged 65 and over
- pregnant women
- children and adults with an underlying health condition (such as long-term heart or respiratory disease)
- children and adults with weakened immune systems
Anyone in these risk groups is more likely to develop potentially serious complications of flu, such as pneumonia (a lung infection), so it’s recommended that they have a flu vaccine every year to protect them. The injected flu vaccine is offered free on the NHS annually to people in these groups.
- Find out more about who should have the flu jab.
About your local pharmacies
Community pharmacies in Gloucestershire are a useful and convenient source of both medicines and health advice
Almost all pharmacies now have a private consultation area where you can sit down with the pharmacist and not be overheard.
Our own Gloucestershire specific leaflet explains what services you may be able to access in your own local community pharmacy. If you’re not in Gloucestershire, you might be interested in this national booklet “Understanding and Making Best Use of Your Community Pharmacy”.
Healthwatch Gloucestershire is responsible for providing the public with local information to help them make informed choices about their health and social care needs. They have a dedicated page to help you make the most out of your community pharmacy, kept up to date with the latest services and advice.
- Pharmacies providing free NHS Access to Emergency Hormonal Contraception and Sexual Health Advice in Gloucestershire
- Pharmacies and others providing free NHS Support to Stop Smoking in Gloucestershire
- Pharmacies providing substance misuse services: Supervised Consumption and Needle Exchange
- Pharmacies providing the Urgent Repeat Medicines Service, which can allow you to get a supply of your regular medicine when GP surgeries are closed.
- Pharmacies participating in the Minor Ailments Service
Disabilities resource
This booklet has been created by Mencap’s pharmacy project and includes resources that have been created by Mencap staff, in consultation with people with disabilities. Resources have also been co-created and adapted from previous existing resources.
The booklet has been divided into four sections:
- Resources for people with disabilities
- Resources for families and carers of people with disabilities
- Resources for pharmacists
- Resources for external agencies to audit or support pharmacies
Rotas
The Forest of Dean Pharmacy Sunday rotas for 2018 are available to download
