PATIENTS with minor health problems are being encouraged to go to the chemist instead of the doctor as part of a scheme launched in Sedgefield Borough today.

The Care in the Chemist scheme has already been running as a pilot in Trimdon and Fishburn since April and its success has sparked Sedgefield Primary Care Trust (PCT) to extend the services borough wide.

The joint venture with the PCT and local pharmacists encourages patients suffering from minor conditions such as headlice, thrush, cold and hayfever symptoms to visit their local pharmacist for advice.

Those who do not pay for prescriptions will still get their medicines free of charge but normal prescription charges and exemptions will apply.

Richard Morris, pharmaceutical advisor for the PCT, said the scheme should mean that patients suffering from minor ailments should be seen a lot quicker and make it easier for patients to obtain medicines without the need for a prescription. It will also will reduce unnecessary visits and phone calls to doctors' surgeries giving local GPs more time to see patients with more serious conditions.

People ringing to make appointments with their doctor will now be asked if it is for one of the minor ailments included in the scheme and if so will be offered the option of visiting their local pharmacist instead.

Mr Morris said: "Around 30 per cent of daily GP consultations are related to minor ailments such as hayfever, coughs and colds etc.

"Many patients who are exempt from prescription charges tend to make appointments with their GPs for treatments that could be supplied by pharmacists free of charge under this scheme.

"The pilot scheme was a big success for patients from the two GP practices involved and by rolling out the Care in the Chemist scheme to all practices in the Sedgefield area we can make it easier and quicker for more patients to get advice and treatment for minor ailments.''