Pharmacy Services

At Healthside Pharmacy we are dedicated to providing excellent customer service and we pride ourselves on the exceptional quality of products, professional advice and healthcare that we deliver day by day. Our staff is intensively trained to help customers with all aspects of their healthcare needs; from simple over-the-counter advice and medicines to treatments for minor ailments that were, until recently, only available from your local doctor's surgery.

We offer a wide range of products and services, including NHS and Private Prescriptions Dispensing, Repeat Prescription Collection and Delivery Service, Flu Vaccination Service (both private and NHS funded), Smoking Cessation, Health Advice and Self-care, NHS funded Medicine Use Reviews (MURs or Medi-Check) and Emergency Hormonal Contraceptive (EHC). For a full and detailed description of each service that we offer at Healthside Pharmacy, please browse through the Service list shown below and click on the descriptive tabs for more information.

We are open 6 days a week. The majority of our enhaced pharmacy services are available during opening hours such as smoking cessation and emergency hormonal contraception (the morning after pill). We are always available for any heathcare advice.

If we are closed, you can get health advice and information, including details of other local health services from the NHS website at www.nhs.uk or call NHS 111 Service which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.

• Comments, Suggestions & Complaints

  At Healthside Pharmacy we welcome your comments and suggestions. We aim to give you the highest standards of customer care and service. Should you have any complaints about our services or products please speak to our pharmacist. We operate a formal complaints procedure which is part of the NHS system for dealing with complaints.
  
  Please use our Complaints & Suggestion Form to inform us of any complaint or to report an incident. We will carefully investigate the reported issue and reply back with the outcome of our investigation.
  
  You can also get advice from the local Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). PALS is not part of the complaints procedure itself, but they might be able to resolve your concerns informally or can tell you more about the complaints procedure and independent complaint advocacy services.
  
  Please visit the NHS Website for more information about how to make a complaint on an NHS Service received from us or from any other NHS organisation.

• Confidential Help & Advice

  At Healthside Pharmacy we have a private Consultation Room available for your use.
  If you wish to talk to the pharmacist on duty in private, or any of our helpful pharmacy staff, we can arrange this for you.
  It can be embarrassing or difficult to talk to staff in front of other patients in the pharmacy about a medical condition. At Healthside Pharmacy we understand this; so, just ask if you would prefer to discuss anything in the privacy of our Consultation Room.

• Dispensing

  At Healthside Pharmacy we dispense both NHS and private prescriptions and supply medicines and appliances.
  We will give information and advice on how to get the most benefit from your medicines and appliances.
  We keep a record of what we supply to our customers so when you bring in a prescription, our records tell us whether you may safely take a medicine with any others you may be taking. We label your medicines to remind you about precautions such us avoiding alcohol and not driving if you feel drowsy.
  We keep a comprehensive stock of medicines and use a fast and an efficient wholesaler service to enable us to fill all prescriptions promptly.
  
  Always keep medicines out of reach of children. Some medicines need to be kept in the fridge and others at room temperature. Our pharmacist is always available to advise you about the storage conditions for the medicines. Please ask in store for more details.
  
  We accept returned medicines which have expired or are not needed any more, as part of NHS medicines returned service. We also offer needle exchange service.

• Emergency Hormonal Contraception

  Emergency hormonal contraception commonly known as the "morning after pill" is available in our pharmacy, either with or without a prescription.
  
  The emergency contraceptive pill is most effective if it is taken as soon as possible after you have had unprotected intercourse, but can be taken up to 72 hours (three days) afterwards, or even 120 hours (five days) for the other type of the Contraceptive Pills; however, the sooner the better.
  
  If you need emergency hormonal contraceptive advice you can speak with our Pharmacist, either in person or informally by phone. After a more formal, but discreet and private consultation with our Pharmacist in our Consultation Room, if it is considered appropriate and safe, we can provide you with this form of contraception.
  
  We will never ask you about the circumstances which have led to you seeking contraception advice but we will need to ask you some general medical questions to make sure emergency hormonal contraception is suitable for you to take.
  
  Emergency hormonal contraception is extremely safe with no serious side effects and if it was to fail, and you become pregnant, it has not been shown to affect the pregnancy or harm the developing baby in any way.

• Emergency Supplies

  We may be able to help if you need a prescription medicine in a genuine emergency when it is impossible to get to your doctor.
  It cannot be done under the NHS, so we have to charge.

• Health Advice and Self-care

  The pharmacist on duty and our trained assistants are available for advice on all medicines and minor ailments as well as on appropriate use of non-prescription medicines, in private if required, within the privacy of our consultation room.
  We can also give you advice on how to live a healthy life; for example, advice on how to stop smoking and maintaining a healthy diet.
  We can direct you to other sources of advice and assistance if we cannot help you ourselves.
  Come in and help yourself from our display of free healthcare leaflets covering many of the topics we get asked about. Look out for new ones each month.

• Holidays Needs

  Our pharmacist on duty is always glad to give advice about avoiding sunburn, tummy upsets, malaria and the others holidays risks and to recommend remedies for many holiday ailments. You will also find on our shelves everyday holiday items.
  
  We offer Influenza - FLU Vaccination Service, both private and NHS funded. No appointment required as it is a walk in service.

• Influenza - FLU Vaccination Service

  We offer Influenza - FLU Vaccination Service, both private and NHS funded.
  
  The Flu Vaccination is available from October – the service is FREE if you are registered with a GP within our local area and fall within the following criteria:
  
  - 65 years old and over
  - Pregnant
  - Have a serious medical condition (including diabetes, heart/chest/kidney conditions)
  - Are living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility (not including prisons, young offender institutions or university halls of residence)
  - Are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill
  - A frontline health or social care worker
  
  Pop in an have any questions answered by our pharmacist. No appointment required as it is a walk in service.

• Medicine Containers

  All medicines are dispensed in child resistant containers unless you request us not to.
  Please remember: keep all medicines out of reach and sight of children.
  Our pharmacist on duty can advise you on safe storage of medicines.

• Medicines Optimisation Support

  Medicines optimisation is a priority for the NHS and community pharmacists are recognised as being well placed to help improve patient outcomes in this area.
  
  Ask Your Pharmacist is a campaign led by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which aims to raise awareness of the support, advice and services available to people at their local community pharmacy.
  
  Making the most of your medicines
  
  Most of us will take medicines at some point in our lives. For some of us this may be for a short period (days, months or a few years), for others medicines may be needed for the rest of our lives. Medicines can be used to stop us getting ill, help us stay healthy, control our conditions or cure an illness. But using them sometimes isn't easy.
  
  You need to:
  - Take them at the right times and in the right way
  - Look out for side effects or for signs that you aren't getting any better (or getting worse)
  - If you need medicines regularly make sure you always have enough of your medicines.
  
  This can take time and commitment especially if you are taking many different medicines. Understanding what your medicines are for, how they work, when and how to take them and why they should be taken as prescribed can help to make sure you get the best results from medicines.
  
  Here are some things that you can do to make the most of your medicines.
  
  What can you do?
  
  When you or someone you care for is prescribed a medicine here are some questions that you might want to ask your doctor, pharmacist, nurse or other health professional.
  
  It may help to print these questions and take them with you next time you see your health professional. (Click here to Download and Print the Questions)
  
  Questions to ask about your medicines:
  
  1- What am I taking this medicine for?
  2- Does this new prescription mean I should stop taking any other medicines?
  3- How and when should I take my medicine?
  4- How long should I take my medicine for?
  5- When will it start working? How can I tell if it's working?
  6- Are there any foods, drinks, or other medicines to avoid while I'm taking this medicine?
  7- What are the potential side-effects? What should I do if I think I have a side-effect?
  8- What should I do if I miss a dose?
  9- How do I get more of this medicine if it runs out?
  10- Who should I talk to if I want any further help when taking this medicine?
  
  If you have any questions speak to your health professional. Especially if:
  
  - you are thinking about stopping a medicine, or are not taking a medicine you have been prescribed
  - for any reason you are finding it difficult to take a medicine as it was prescribed
  - you are worried or concerned about side effects that you may be experiencing
  
  It may also help to find out more about the condition that you have and if there is anything that you can do to help stay well.
  
  "I have an alarm on my phone which reminds me to take my medicines and quite often I just ignore it, the text message* which comes through a little later is the one I find more helpful because it sits on my phone and every time I look at my phone I remember that I haven't taken my meds." (By a patient with HIV)
  
  What can you expect?
  
  Your doctor, pharmacist, nurse or other health professional should work in partnership with you and:
  
  - Help you to understand your medicines (what they do, how to use them) so that you can make decisions about your treatment. This may mean choosing a different medicine or treatment if it suits you better.
  - Discuss with you your experiences of taking or not taking medicines, your views about what medicines mean to you and how medicines affect your daily life.
  - Look for ways for you to get, take or use your medicines that fit in with your daily life.
  - If you have any problems with your medicines help you to find solutions that you find acceptable.
  - Jointly agree with you the desired outcomes from treatment, when a review of your condition will take place and if any monitoring is needed before and during treatment.
  
  "I have a tremor caused by one of my medicines. To help control this I was prescribed another medicine three times a day. I found it was very difficult to take the dose in the middle of the day. The combination of my work schedule and finding a suitable place to take the tablet meant that I often missed the dose. I struggled with this for years until finally I was prescribed the tablet as a slow release version that I now take once in the morning." (By a patient with bipolar disorder)
  
  Where can you go to find more support or information?
  
  - NHS Webite has patient information about a range of illnesses and conditions as well as help for people wanting to stay healthy
  - Local community pharmacists are always available on your high street. Pharmacists provide free expert advice about medicines and information about a wide variety of health issues. (Come to us at Healthside Pharmacy and we will be more than happy to help)
  - Patient Groups may have help-lines, resources and local groups that can support you.
  - If you have any queries about medicines and are unable to talk directly to a healthcare professional, you can dial the NHS 111 number for advice.
  - Every medicine should come with an information leaflet. It often contains a lot of information, but may answer specific questions that you have. If you have a question about a specific medicine, the pharmaceutical company may have an information service that you can contact.
  - The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has a website for members of the public with resources that can help you make the most of your medicines
  - The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has information to enable and support you to make decisions about your prescribed medicines.
  - The NHS Constitution describes your rights and your responsibilities when using the National Health Service.

• Medicine Sales

  We stock a wide range of over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and mineral supplements. If we do not stock the item you require, we can order it for you.
  
  Our staff is intensively trained to help customers with all aspects of their healthcare needs; from simple over-the-counter advice and medicines to treatments for minor ailments that were, until recently, only available from your local doctor's surgery.
  
  We stock Mustela® products
  
  We stock a wide range of Mustela® products. For over 60 years, Mustela offers safe and innovative products that protect and preserve the health of the most fragile skin of infants, babies, children, as well as new and expecting mothers. Innovative, safe, efficient and always more natural, Mustela skincare is also making the skincare routine a moment of sharing, pleasure and emotion.

• Medicines Use Review (MURs or Medi-Check)

  Healthside Pharmacy is pleased to offer patients the NHS funded Medicines Use Review (MURs or Medi-Check).
  This “Medicine Check” involves a confidential discussion about your medicines with the pharmacist and aims to help you get the most out of your medicines.
  During the consultation you will have the opportunity to find out more about your medication and discuss any issues or problems.
  This service is conducted in our private consultation room.
  Please note that this review differs from the one done by the GP; the GP will assess and change medicines whereas the pharmacist will discuss the best way of taking them.
  Please contact us for more information about this free NHS service – please ask for the pharmacist on duty.

• New Medicine Service (NMS)

  The New Medicine Service (NMS) is an NHS funded service available at Healthside Pharmacy that can help you to get the most out of your newly prescribed medicine.
  Its aim is to provide you with the support you need to understand your condition and to explain how taking your new medicine can help you manage your symptoms.
  
  When you are prescribed a medicine to treat a long-term condition for the first time, the pharmacist will support you to use the medicine safely and to best effect.
  Our pharmacist will talk to you approximately two weeks after you first receive the medicine to see how you are getting on with it and to discuss any problems you may have. A second follow-up will be a month after you first receive the medicine. The service is only available to people using certain medicines. Our pharmacist will give you details and offer this free NHS service, if this is available to you.
  
  Who is the service for?
  This service is for customers prescribed with new medicines, who may find it difficult to understand when and how to take them properly. This includes those taking medicines for:
  
  - Asthma
  - Lung conditions, such as COPD, chronic bronchitis and emphysema
  - Type 2 Diabetes
  - High blood pressure
  - Conditions where you take a medicine to control the way your blood clots (anticoagulants or antiplatelet medication)

• NHS Services

  We provide NHS Services on behalf of NHS London Area Team with Headquarters at the following address:
  1st Floor, Skipton House, 80 London Road , London, SE1 6LH
  Tel: 0300 3112233
  Web: www.england.nhs.uk/london/

• NHS Pharmacy First

  Save time and avoid waiting to see a GP
  
  The Pharmacy First advanced service enables community pharmacists to complete episodes of care for patients without the need for the patient to visit their general practice (GP).
  
  Patients can access quicker and more convenient care, including the supply of appropriate medicines for minor illness.
  
  Patients can access the NHS Pharmacy First service for the following conditions, currently:
  
  - Acute Otitis Media (1 to 17 years).
  - Impetigo (1 year and over).
  - Infected insect bite (1 year and over).
  - Shingles (18 years and over).
  - Sinusitis (12 years and over).
  - Sore throat (5 years and over).
  - Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in women aged 16-64.
  
  * Under each of these conditions, our pharmacist will be able to prescribe certain prescription-only medicines.
  
  Advice from our pharmacist is always free. You will be seen promptly by a member of our pharmacy team and you can ask to be seen in private in our Consultation Room.
  
  Pharmacists are highly qualified health professionals and are experts in the use of medicines.
  
  If you have a minor ailment think Pharmacy First and speak to one of our staff today.

• Patient Medication Record

  We keep records of all your prescriptions dispensed by us as well as records of other services we provide to you. This helps us check for possible problems, such as reactions between medicines and will help us deal with any queries you may have.
  We comply with the Data Protection Act, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the NHS code on confidentiality.
  If you want to discuss the records we keep, please ask to speak to the pharmacist.

• Prescription Delivery Services

  We offer free repeat prescription collection and delivery service, we can order your repeat prescription or notify you by message to order it yourself from the surgery. We will have your prescription ready for collection after two days and if you are not able to collect it, we also offer free delivery service. For more details, please speak to a member of staff or call us on 020 7603 2763.

• Repeat Prescription Service

  Healthside Pharmacy offers a FREE PRESCRIPTION COLLECTION AND DELIVERY SERVICE.
  
  We can order your repeat prescription or notify you by message to order it yourself from the surgery. We will have your prescription ready for collection after two days and if you are not able to collect it, we also offer free delivery service. For more details, please speak to a member of staff or call us on 020 7603 2763.
  
  Electronic Transmission of Prescriptions (ETP)
  
  The way the NHS provides prescriptions to patients is changing, patients can have their prescriptions created and sent electronically directly from their GP to their ‘nominated’ pharmacy where they wish to receive their medications and/or appliances from.
  There will be a transition period where both paper and electronic versions will be created simultaneously so that the systems that handle the ETP versions have time to settle in and become the single standard means of issue.
  We are asking our regular customers to sign a Nomination Form that will allow us to obtain your electronic prescription from your surgery when the NHS Electronic Prescription Service comes into effect.
  You will normally be asked to nominate just one pharmacy for your prescriptions to be sent to and dispensed rather than a variety of pharmacies.
  Healthside Pharmacy is already equipped with computers and systems that are capable of handling electronic prescriptions. When visiting a pharmacy or your surgery keep an eye out for the symbol shown in the image on the right, which identifies where the NHS Electronic Prescription Service is being used.

• Stop Smoking Service

  Stopping smoking can be very difficult.
  
  At Healthside Pharmacy, in addition to offering help and advice on stopping smoking, we can help you to kick the habit by offering you a wide range of smoking cessation products to support you in your quest.
  
  We can supply you with a range of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (Nicotine Patches, Nicotine Chewing Gum, Nicotine Nasal Spray, Nicotine Lozenges, Nicotine Inhalator) or Champix.
  
  Our trained staff will be happy to advise you. The medication is FREE if you are exempt from prescription charges. If you pay for your prescriptions, standard prescription charges apply per supply. (It may be advisable to purchase a prescription pre-payments certificate in some cases – ask in store or ring us for more details).
  
  Come in and see us for further information on our product range.
  
  You have more options than you think!

• Support for people with disability

  At Healthside Pharmacy we offer our constant support for people with any disability by:
  – Assessing medicine compliance needs of patients with disability.
  – Providing reasonable adjustment or support.
  – Providing alternative forms of labelling or reminder chart.
  – Providing multi-compartment compliance aid when required.
  
  We provide step-free wheelchair access and the staff will gladly help with access into the pharmacy.
  Our staff work hard to provide you with the best possible service. Please treat them with the courtesy and respect they deserve.
  
  We reserve the right to refuse or provide services to individuals who act in a violent, threatening or aggressive manner.

• Unwanted Medicines

  It is dangerous and unwise to keep hold of unwanted medicines at home.
  
  Always keep medicines out of reach of children.
  
  We accept returned medicines which have expired or are not needed any more, as part of NHS medicines returned service. We also offer needle exchange service.
  
  Please return all unused and unwanted medicines to us at Healthside Pharmacy; we can dispose of them safely for you.
  
  We accept and dispose of unwanted medicines from patients and carers.