In a recent study by ASDA Pharmacy, GPs have revealed a staggering statistic: up to 90 per cent of visits from summer pollen sufferers are deemed unnecessary and could be handled by a visit to the local pharmacy.
Last June alone, nearly 50,000 hay fever sufferers sought GP consultations, each averaging seven minutes, equating to a whopping 6,000 hours of surgery time that could have been saved.
With experts predicting a record season of itchy eyes and runny noses due to a mild winter, doctors urge sufferers to see a pharmacist first.
TV doctor Ranj Singh emphasises, “Allergies like hay fever can be really problematic, but can often be dealt with by a visit to the local pharmacist.
GPs are already under significant pressure with the number of patients they need to see, and this could free up appointments for those that really need them.”
More than 90 per cent of GPs report an uptick in patients whose asthma worsens due to hay fever, yet these cases too could often be managed by pharmacists.
Alarmingly, 99 per cent of GPs believe that more Brits should be informed about the capabilities of pharmacists in treating minor ailments, including allergies like hay fever.
The research highlights a significant gap in public awareness: a fifth of Brits (21%) do not know that pharmacists can offer advice and treatment for hay fever.
Over four-fifths (81%) go directly to their GP for hay fever issues, bypassing pharmacists altogether.
Regarding minor illnesses in general, almost half of Brits (46%) have admitted to booking GP appointments for conditions that could be managed by pharmacists, with some even dialing 999 for minor issues.
A mere 25 per cent of those surveyed knew that pharmacists could prescribe medication themselves.
The majority, 59 per cent, mistakenly believe that pharmacists can only dispense prescriptions written by a GP or a nurse.
Hay fever significantly impacts the quality of life for many Brits, with half of sufferers (51%) admitting it hinders their enjoyment of spring and summer.
The most troublesome symptoms include itchy eyes (63%), runny nose (55%), and sneezing (51%). In fact, 46 per cent of sufferers avoid going outside to prevent flare-ups.
While half of hay fever sufferers visit their pharmacist for relief, a third still opt to see their GP first. The top six symptoms they find hardest to bear are:
- Itchy eyes
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose or throat
- Coughing
- Tiredness
For more information on ASDA Pharmacy and how they can help with hay fever and other minor ailments, visit ASDA Pharmacy.