While many of us are hoping for a sunny Bank Holiday and enjoying some time off work, hardworking health and care colleagues across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will be going into work to continue providing vital services to residents, as well as those visiting the area.
This includes many of our community pharmacists who will helping to support people with minor health concerns or issues such as coughs, sore throats, tummy trouble, aches and pains, so they can get back to the weekend’s festivities.
One such pharmacy is Wainwrights Chemist in Bishopstoke, which is just a few months off celebrating its own Platinum Jubilee, after opening shortly before the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, a year after she acceded to the throne.
Over the last 70 years, the role the pharmacy plays in keeping its communities healthy has changed hugely, and it now provides much more than dispensing medication. It runs numerous clinical screening services including blood pressure and blood sugar checks, public health advice, and support for patients with long-term conditions.
Sultan ‘Sid’ Dajani, pharmacist at Wainwrights, said:
“There are lots of ways we as pharmacists can help people over the long weekend and we really value the opportunity to make a difference to those we support. I’d like to reassure people that we are qualified health professionals and urge people to ‘think pharmacy’ this Bank Holiday weekend. There is a wealth of support available on a high street near you and we are here to help.
“Our teams can help with a range of health, lifestyle, and medicinal issues, as well as free, impartial, and confidential advice without an appointment. By making sure you ‘think pharmacy’ you could help free up other health services for those who need them and be rest assured, if you need directing elsewhere, we can help with that too.”
Our community pharmacy teams have like other services remained open and busy throughout the pandemic with many offering COVID-19 vaccinations alongside their other services and dispensing medication.
Sid added:
“We are proud to make a significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of our local communities and because of continuous role we play for many of them, have developed a unique relationship over the years.”
Sid and the team are celebrating the Platinum Jubilee by decorating the pharmacy and dressing up for the occasion. They will like many other pharmacies be open over the weekend, however you are advised to check the most up to date information on our website before visiting.
If you need urgent medical advice, including mental health support over the Bank Holiday weekend, you can also contact NHS 111 online who can direct you to the most appropriate service for your needs.