Healthcare professionals across Sheffield are reminding residents to visit the local pharmacy if they start to feel unwell over this Bank Holiday Weekend (30 March – 2 April). Wicker Pharmacy’s Afsha Khan is one of the many dedicated pharmacists across the city, ready to offer expert advice over Easter.

Many pharmacies in Sheffield will remain open over the Bank Holiday period this week. As well as advising people on the use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines, pharmacists are also qualified to offer guidance on a wealth of illnesses and health concerns.

Wicker Pharmacy is one of the pharmacies that will be open every day over the long weekend: these extended hours are funded by the NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group to make sure Sheffield residents have dependable access to health care, close to the city centre.

Pharmacist Afsha Khan has worked the majority of Bank Holidays at Wicker Pharmacy since she qualified two years ago. She said, “I would say that approximately 50% of the people who come to the Pharmacy because they can’t get a GP appointment don’t actually need one – we can help with a huge amount of illnesses and health concerns.”

Afsha revealed that there are a lot of things a pharmacist can help with instead of a GP: “As well as helping treat conditions like coughs, colds, tummy troubles and thrush, people can also benefit from services like Healthy Living Checks, where we measure things like blood pressure and blood glucose levels.

“We also offer a range of specialist services, such as a needle exchange service, a GP-referred carpal tunnel syndrome wrist service, and emergency contraception for ages 14 and up.”

Afsha’s interest in pharmacy began after completing her work experience at the age of 15, with Wicker Pharmacy welcoming her back to work weekends when she turned 16. After studying on the 4 year degree at the University of Bradford and finishing her pre-registration training, Afsha is now in her second year of being a fully qualified pharmacist.

When asked about her passion for pharmacy, she said: “When I was 15, all I knew is that I wanted to be part of the NHS when I grew up. As I moved through my work experience and weekend job, the team became my role models and they helped me consider pharmacy as an option for myself.

“The best part of the job is being able to help people, and our team go above and beyond to do this. We help source specific items for people all the time, and serve people from all over Sheffield, Barnsley and Chesterfield, making sure they get the treatment they need.”

Pharmacy teams across Sheffield can offer fast and convenient support this Bank Holiday, with no appointment needed. Using a pharmacy for minor health concerns will help free up GP time for more urgent appointments and help keep A&E for serious and life- threatening emergencies only.

A list of local pharmacies that will be open over the Easter bank holiday is available on the CCG’s website: www.sheffieldccg.nhs.uk in the ‘Your Health’ section.