Free over-the counter
advice and medicines

What is the Common Ailments NHS Scheme?

Everyone can go to their Health Plus Pharmacist for free advice or to buy medicine for minor illnesses, however this common ailments scheme is a free NHS service for anyone who does not pay for their prescriptions. The pharmacist will be able to give advice and medicines free of charge without the need to see a doctor.

The common ailments NHS scheme can save you valuable time and is providing you with easy access to the care you need.

Who is the service for?

You can use the common ailments NHS Scheme if:

  • You are registered with a local GP.
  • You don’t pay for your prescriptions.
  • You are suffering from one of the 27 common ailments consisting of - Acne, athlete’s foot, back pain, chickenpox, cold sores, colic, conjunctivitis (bacterial), constipation, diarrhoea, dry eyes, dry skin/dermatitis, haemorrhoids, hay fever, head lice, indigestion and reflux, in-growing toenails, intertrigo, mouth ulcers, nappy rash, oral thrush, ringworm, scabies, sore throat and tonsillitis, teething, threadworms, vaginal thrush, warts and verrucae.

Register for the Common Ailments NHS Scheme

If you are eligible for the Common Ailments NHS Scheme, then all you need to do is go to your local Health Plus Pharmacy and give the staff the name of your GP practice, and confirmation that you don’t pay for prescriptions. You will also need evidence of your identity and NHS number.

The pharmacist will ask you questions about your symptoms. This is to make sure that the medicines you are given are suitable for you and all the details you provide are confidential. These questions will include details about other medication you are taking, about your illness and if you have any allergies.

Private consultation

All consultations are carried out in a private room in which the pharmacist will ask you questions about your symptoms. This is to make sure that the medicines you are given are suitable for you and all the details you provide are confidential. These questions will include details about other medication you are taking, about your illness and if you have any allergies.

Expert advice

Your Health Plus Pharmacist is a highly trained healthcare professional who can provide expert, confidential advice on common health problems and the best medicines to treat them.

Please remember that this medicine is only for you, it may not be right for anybody else even if they have similar symptoms. You will also receive advice on how to take the medicine and other ways to help manage your ailments and illness. The pharmacist may suggest that you see a GP if you need a medicine that is only available on a doctor’s prescription.

Services we offer

Acne

Athlete’s foot

Back pain (acute) in adults

Chickenpox – in children under 14 years

Cold sores

Colic

Conjunctivitis (bacterial)

Constipation

Diarrhoea

Dry eyes

Dry skin/dermatitis

Haemorrhoids

Hay fever

Head lice

Indigestion and reflux

Ingrowing toenail

Intertrigo

Mouth ulcers

Nappy rash

Oral thrush

Ringworm

Scabies

Sore throat and tonsillitis

Teething

Threadworms

Vaginal thrush

Warts and verrucae

Book an appointment

Who can use the common ailments NHS scheme?

Any patient who is registered to a Welsh GP is eligible to use the Common Ailments Service. 

How do I register for the common ailments NHS scheme?

Registering for the Common ailments NHS scheme couldn’t be simpler.

You can either:

  • Use our online book an appointment form, in which you can fill out and tell us more regarding your common ailment giving you some bother. Once we have received this we will call you back and arrange a convenient day and time for you to pop into your local Health Plus Pharmacy in Grangetown, Llandaff or Pontypool.

Or alternatively:

  • To register just pop into your local Health Plus Pharmacy in Grangetown, Llandaff or Pontypool.
  • You can register at any time - you don't have to make an appointment.
  • When you register, your pharmacist may ask you for some information, including your name, date of birth and postcode.
  • Your pharmacist will complete a form, which you must sign.
  • Once the common ailment NHS scheme form has been completed, we will proceed with providing you with the appropriate advice and treatment for your ailment.

How does the service work?

Once you have registered and completed the common ailment NHS scheme form, you will be able to get advice and free treatment (if you need it) from your local Health Plus Pharmacist for minor illnesses and complaints such as:

  • Acne
  • Athlete’s foot
  • Back pain (acute) in adults
  • Chickenpox – in children under 14 years
  • Cold sores
  • Colic
  • Conjunctivitis (bacterial)
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhoea
  • Dry eyes
  • Dry skin/dermatitis
  • Haemorrhoids
  • Hay fever
  • Head lice
  • Indigestion and reflux
  • Ingrowing toenail
  • Intertrigo
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Nappy rash
  • Oral thrush
  • Ringworm
  • Scabies
  • Sore throat and tonsillitis
  • Teething
  • Threadworms
  • Vaginal thrush
  • Warts and verrucae

Your pharmacist like your doctor can only give out certain medicines and products. You may not get the medicine or product you would normally buy.

What about conditions not included on the common ailments NHS scheme(e.g. cough, cold, rash)?

Patients suffering with other conditions not listed on the Common ailments NHS scheme will not be able to access the Common Ailments service. They may however receive advice from the pharmacist and the option to buy medicines over the counter. If a pharmacist feels that the patient needs to be seen by the GP they will refer appropriately.

Is the common ailments NHS scheme completely free?

We are happy to say yes, the common ailments NHS scheme is completely free!  So please take advantage of this fantastic service and tell your family and friends!