00:00Every year when the school bell rings again, it's not just children feeling the impact.
00:06September often sees a surge in coughs, colds and other bugs being passed around the classroom.
00:11And because those infections don't stay in school, it means parents, grandparents and whole households are suddenly battling what's become known as the back-to-school lurgy.
00:20Patients with children or adults can come in for seven common ailments just to speak to the pharmacist and we can diagnose and prescribe and take the pressure off the NHS.
00:31And most importantly, it's about the accessibility over the weekends when GP practices are closed and making sure we have not got patients who have got any red flags or warning symptoms that need hospital treatment.
00:43Health experts say there are simple ways to reduce the risk of picking up or passing on infections, even at this time of year when bugs spread so easily.
00:52From everyday habits to knowing when to act early, what can parents and grandparents do to protect themselves and those around them?
00:58What we do is every year when we come to the flu season and back to school is just to give some top-line advice on especially flu-like symptoms is when you are sneezing, catch it, bin it and then wash your hands.
01:10And also just making sure that you're having a good, healthy, balanced diet with the necessary nutrients and vitamins.
01:16We always say prevention is better than cure and sometimes just reiterating that message is really, really important this time of year.
01:25Of course, once people do fall ill, many find that getting treatment isn't straightforward.
01:30Nearly half of adults say they struggle to secure a GP appointment and some admit to waiting up to a week before seeking help.
01:36And with coughs and colds circulating, when should symptoms be managed at home and when is it important to seek professional advice?
01:44Every time we get asked this, we always say to patients, if you're worried about something, however minute or minor it may be, go to your local pharmacy and just have a chat with the pharmacy team members.
01:57And most of the time, it's just to reassure patients that there's nothing too serious going on.
02:02So if you're concerned, don't hold back.
02:04And if we're closed, there is also NHS 111.
02:07But the whole point is, if you're worried about anything, you can walk in without an appointment.
02:12There's a pharmacy close by to you and you can have a word with one of the health care practitioners.
02:16Doesn't always have to be a pharmacist.
02:19We have got trained professionals there with technicians and pharmacy advisors who are more than capable of signposting to us if they need to.
