People needing treatment for 'non-emergency' ailments are being encouraged by the NHS to secure appointments with their GP without ringing up. This follows confirmation from the NHS that 98.7% of GP surgeries across England now offer an online service for patients.

The main advantage of more patients utilising online forms to reach their GP is that it helps to clear telephone lines and reduce strain, particularly during morning hours when surgeries first open and face a surge of calls from people desperately trying to grab appointments before they're all gone. Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics Health Insight Survey also show that survey participants increasingly contacted their GP surgery online rather than by telephone.

Moreover, enhanced GP access could also help ease the burden on A&E departments, particularly as demand rises amid a surge in winter illness cases. This proves crucial since, according to the government, approximately four million patients turn up at A&E annually with non-urgent problems because they cannot reach their local GP.

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Posting on X, the NHS stated: "There are many ways to get NHS help for non-emergencies that work around your life. Using your GP practice's online form to get in touch is an efficient alternative to phoning your local practice.

"Get the right care, in the right place, at the right time."

Some patients might not need to ring their GP at all. Across the UK, a variety of illnesses requiring a prescription can be sorted by contacting a pharmacy.

Pharmacies across the UK can provide advice on a wide range of ailments and medications, including addressing any concerns about side effects. They're also equipped to direct you to a GP or another healthcare professional if they can't help you.

Moreover, they can provide prescription medications for certain conditions without the need for you to see a GP or even book an appointment. NHS guidance explains that this service is known as Pharmacy First and covers several conditions.

However, it's vital to understand that you must fall within a specific age range to get the medication for each of the following conditions:

• Sore throat (aged 5 years and over)


• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women aged 16 to 64 years)


• Infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)


• Impetigo (aged 1 year and over)


• Sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)


• Earache (aged 1 to 17 years)


• Shingles (aged 18 years and over)

Even if you don't meet the criteria for prescription medication due to your age, a pharmacist can still offer advice, treatment, or a referral if they deem it necessary. NHS guidance suggests that while most pharmacies can provide prescription medicines for the aforementioned conditions, it's recommended to give them a call in advance to confirm.

Certain chemists also provide the contraceptive pill free of charge and without a prescription. However, if your local chemist doesn't offer this service, you can still buy the emergency contraceptive pill from most chemists if you're 16 or over, or the progesterone-only pill if you're 18 or over.

More information about the services you might be able to access from your local chemist can be found on the NHS websitehere.