Fylde Coast GPs will not offer hayfever remedies

Hayfever sufferers on the Fylde Coast have been reminded to buy their medication over the counter instead of bothering their GP.
Fylde Coast GPs will not offer hayfever remediesFylde Coast GPs will not offer hayfever remedies
Fylde Coast GPs will not offer hayfever remedies

The hayfever season is worst for sufferers between late May and July.

At this time of year demand for prescriptions for simple antihistamines always increases but GPs across the Fylde coast will not routinely offer them unless there is a real clinical need.

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NHS Blackpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) stopped the prescription of antihistamines for hay fever in 2016 following overwhelming agreement from the public that the cost to the NHS for the medicines was high compared to buying them over the counter.

NHS Fylde and Wyre CCG is to introduce the same approach from July 1 as part of its new policy on over the counter medication.

Speaking on behalf of the two CCGs Dr Neil Hartley-Smith, a Blackpool GP and clinical advisor for the NHS Blackpool CCG said: “We have to make the most of the funding available to us so obviously there are some things we have to cut back on.

“Fortunately, although it’s very irritating hay fever isn’t serious and there are things people can do to help themselves. Antihistamines are relatively cheap to buy from your local community pharmacist or supermarket.”

The NHS also advises putting Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen, wearing wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes and changing your clothes after being outside.

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