Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

One of Llanelli’s longest-serving and best-known pharmacists has hung up his white coat and retired. Hywel Evans has spent more than 30 years working in Llanelli. Mr Evans qualified as a pharmacist in July, 1972, so has notched up a remarkable 40 years as a registered pharmacist. He worked for Boots Chemists for 10 years before launching his own business. Together with his wife Margaret, he bought the West End Pharmacy in Llanelli from Vince and Mair Blackmore in 1982. Mr Evans opened a new pharmacy in Machynys in 1997 to serve patients of the Machynys surgery – a branch of the Ty-Elli Surgery in Vauxhall. In 2003, he moved the West End business to the nearby Vauxhall site. Mr Evans said: “Running a pharmacy is a very competitive business. Patients could have patronised any pharmacy in the town and I am grateful that they placed their trust and confidence in us. We hope that we were able to reward that trust and confidence by offering a dedicated and professional service. We have bee...

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has teamed up with a long-established independent Carmarthen pharmacy to help deliver free home fire safety information to residents across the town. Walter Lloyd & Son Pharmacy, on Lammas Street, has a fleet of three vans that go out into the community every day to deliver prescriptions to Carmarthenshire homes. The pharmacy will now be carrying information leaflets on board to encourage residents to take up a free Home Fire Safety Check by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. A free Home Fire Safety Check takes approximately one hour to complete and is usually undertaken by two Fire Service representatives who will provide advice on making your home safe from fire, help with planning escape routes and even install new smoke alarms, with 10-year batteries, where needed.

Hywel Dda Health Board | Courses restore confidence for those with chronic conditions Starting today, all 708 pharmacies in Wales will be participating in a two week campaign to give patients with long term conditions the confidence and skills to manage their health. The Education Programme for Patients consists of free courses run over six weeks, which are led by tutors who either live with a chronic health condition themselves or have experience of caring for someone with a chronic condition. In Wales, almost one third of the population has a least one chronic health condition, with cardiovascular disease, arthritis and rheumatism being the most common.

Hywel Dda Health Board | Easier access to treatment for common ailments A new scheme designed to provide easy access to advice and treatment for common ailments is to be introduced across Wales. The national scheme which will involve assessment and supply of treatment will make community pharmacists the first port of call for ailments such as hay fever, warts, head lice, sore throats and indigestion. Research shows that up to 40% of a GP’s time is taken up dealing with patients suffering from minor ailments. Under the new scheme, patients will be encouraged to consult a pharmacist, rather than their GP, for a defined list of ailments. The pharmacists will then supply medication from an agreed list, give advice, or refer to the GP if necessary. Medicines will be given free of charge. This removes the payment barrier which can prevent patients choosing to see a pharmacist instead of their GP.