Important Update: Changes to the ‘Minor Ailments Service’ in Glossop

Correspondence has been received from Derby and Derbyshire ICB regarding the planned decommissioning of the Minor Ailments Service, currently commissioned in the Glossop area.

This correspondence has been sent to contractors directly effected.

Sent on behalf of Raviraj Mohan – Head of Pharmacy – Commissioning Outcomes Diversity & Inclusion Network Member

Dear colleagues, please be advised, the below email and flyer  regarding the Glossop Minor Ailments Service has been sent to affected pharmacies and a separate email for info to Glossop Practice Managers:

Important Update: Changes to the ‘Minor Ailments Service’ in Glossop

Dear [Pharmacy Name],

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to inform you about a change regarding the Minor Ailments Service in Glossop and to request your assistance in disseminating this information to your patients who use this service.

As you may be aware, a Minor Ailments Service operated within Tameside and Glossop CCG. However, upon inheriting Glossop, NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB have conducted a review of the service.

After careful consideration, we will not be renewing the contract for the Minor Ailments Service when it expires at the end of March 2025 and the Minor Ailments Service will end.

The Minor Ailments Scheme has previously enabled Glossop residents to receive medications to treat a range of common conditions directly from the pharmacist without requiring a GP prescription.

Whilst this service has been beneficial to a small percentage of the population, it contradicts our local self-care policy and the national self-care policy, which encourages individuals to treat minor ailments at home initially, without seeking professional help. Additionally, the introduction of the ‘Pharmacy First’ scheme, means that patients can get treatment for some minor conditions without needing to see a GP.

We would like to give patients some time to feedback to us about how this will affect them.

We understand that this change may impact some of your patients, and we want to ensure that they are informed about the change and have an opportunity to provide feedback or ask questions.

Therefore, we kindly request your assistance in disseminating the attached flyer to any of your patients who use the service. The flyer includes an email address and phone number for patients to provide feedback.

We will send you some printed copies of the flyer through the post for you to disseminate to patients who use the service and will collate feedback and questions until the end of January 2025. If you require further copies please email ddicb.pharmacy@nhs.net

Key Messages:

The Minor Ailments Service is coming to an end in March 2025.

Consultations and advice will still be available with our pharmacists.

Patients will still be able to obtain consultations and advice via the Pharmacy First Service from local pharmacies.

Pharmacists will continue to provide advice and recommend over-the-counter medicines.

If patients have any feedback or questions about this change, they can email or call ddicb.pharmacy@nhs.net, 01332 981601.

Your cooperation in disseminating this information to your patients is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you.