Getting a GP appointment these days can be extremely difficult, with patients having to endure long waits to be seen by a doctor in-person.
But if you’re suffering from one of seven common health conditions, you can actually avoid GP waits altogether by going to Tesco instead.
The supermarket chain has its own Tesco Pharmacy in some stores where shoppers can get NHS-led treatment for a range of common ailments – without needing to see a GP.
The service allows people to get health advice from community pharmacists who can supply a specific range of prescription and over-the-counter medicines for certain infections, including antibiotics, creams, nasal sprays, ear drops and antivirals.
You can be referred to the service by a healthcare professional, such as via NHS 111 or your GP surgery, but you can also refer yourself for advice and treatment for seven common infections.
All pharmacist consultations are confidential and take place in a private consultation room, with appointments lasting around 20 minutes.
Tesco Pharmacy allows customers to get medication for any of the following seven common health conditions:
Shingles
Sore throat
Sinusitis
Impetigo
Urinary infection
Earache
Bites and stings
The pharmacy service is available to customers in more than 330 stores across England and Wales. You can check if your local supermarket offers the service online.
Customers can also use the NHS app to request repeat prescriptions and send them to their nearest Tesco Pharmacy.
Additionally, Tesco’s pharmacy team offers free advice on cancer, heart and circulatory diseases, and diabetes, with staff completing extra training by Cancer Research UK, Diabetes UK and British Heart Foundation to provide information and support on these conditions.
Tesco said: “This service establishes community pharmacists as a first port of call for advice and treatment for common infections. It can help you get the right care in the right place, without having to go to the GP or local A&E department for non-urgent treatment.”
