Triage and Treat service for Tenby and Saundersfoot

Selected pharmacists in Tenby and Saundersfoot are offering an enhanced service for tourists and residents this summer.
The Triage + Treat service is a new service offered in specific community pharmacies to help you if you have had a low level injury.
Some injuries can be treated successfully in the pharmacy rather than having to visit a doctor or an A&E Department.
The service is being provided by a pharmacist or a member of the pharmacy team who has had special training.

They will assess your injury or symptom and make a decision as to whether they can ‘treat’ you there or if you need to seek treatment from another healthcare professional.
If the injury is too serious to be treated in the pharmacy you will be given advice about where to go.
The types of injuries/symptoms that can be treated under this service are:

• Minor abrasions, superficial cuts and wounds 
• Sprains and strains 
• Eye complaints such as sand in the eye 
• Removal of items from the skin such as a splinter or shell 
• Minor burns including sunburn 

Assistant Director of Primary Care Elaine Lorton, said: “Many people are unaware of the wide range of services offered by a community pharmacy and how they can help.
“Every community pharmacy provides general advice and information about different health conditions for example coughs, colds, allergic reactions and some offer services such as Emergency Contraception (i.e.morning after pill) You can talk to your community pharmacist about your health and they can advise on what you can do to care for yourself which could avoid a visit to your doctor.
“This enhanced service is being offered for visitors, holiday makers and local residents and it can be a key service whenever the pharmacy is open.”
The service is being piloted in two pharmacies:
Glen Pharmacy, Gas Lane, Tenby SA70 4ES
8.30am–6.00pm Monday to Friday
8.30am– 11.30am Saturday. Tel No: 01834 844462
The Pharmacy, The Strand, Saundersfoot, SA69 9ES 9am–5.30pm Monday to Friday
9.30am–12pm Saturday. Tel No: 01834 812343
Damian Williams, from the Glen Pharmacy, said “This is a new and exciting service which Community Pharmacies are well placed to deliver. I am looking forward to being part of this service and have already seen my first patients over the weekend- one with an abrasion and one with a jellyfish sting. The patients were extremely complimentary and thought the service was a great idea.”
The British Red Cross summer service will also be operational in Tenby from this weekend. The service was successfully piloted over weekends and bank holidays last summer and will this year also operate during the week.
It will be run by a group of skilled individuals who will use their experience of providing first aid at public events to give top quality care to people visiting the hospital.
The service will run until September 7 and be open 10am-7pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays and from 2-6pm Monday to Friday at Tenby Hospital.
People are also reminded to Choose Well when it comes to finding the best NHS service for them for more information go to www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/choosewell

Photo: Damian Williams from the Glen Pharmacy