acne treatment without seeing the GP

An allergy is when your body reacts to a substance it has become sensitive to. For example, dust, food, pollen, medication etc. Allergens in food and other substances cause your body to have an immune reaction. Hay fever is one of the most common allergic conditions. In the UK alone, around 13 million people suffer from hay fever. Although it usually begins during childhood/teenage years, you can get it at any age.

The symptoms of hay fever occur when a person has had an allergic reaction to pollen. Some of the symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, itchy/watery eyes, wheezing, coughing etc. As much as we can try to avoid pollen, unfortunately, sometimes it is just not avoidable. Particularly in the summer when there is naturally more pollen around, and we tend to spend more time outside.

While there is currently no cure for hay fever, there is a way you can relieve the symptoms, at least to a certain extent. A range of antihistamines are available at our pharmacy to help you prevent an allergic reaction from happening. There are tablets, nasal sprays and even products to help soothe symptoms, for example, sprays for itchy eyes. We also offer Fexofenadine (Telfast) which is a prescription strength antihistamine for those that suffer greatly from hay fever. After a quick consult with our pharmacist, you can purchase this from our store to help soothe any symptoms.

Please come in store and speak to our pharmacists about your options to relive your symptoms.

A pharmacist is another health expert you can turn to for asthma advice and support and you usually don't need an appointment. As well as your GP or asthma nurse, your local pharmacist is another highly trained healthcare professional who can answer questions about your asthma. If you have any concerns about your asthma, you can just walk into our pharmacy and ask to see the pharmacist.

This is useful because:

• you don't need an appointment
• our pharmacy are open outside GP surgery hours
• our pharmacy have a private consultation room
• you can ask about free prescription collection services, peak flow checks, stop smoking and losing weight advice.

Ask the pharmacist how to get the best from your asthma medicines. You can ask your pharmacist about the asthma medicines you've been prescribed. This is useful if you have concerns about things like side effects, using your inhaler, or your inhaler not working properly.
You can also ask about any over-the-counter medicines you're taking to help your asthma, such as anti-histamines for hay fever.

Whether its preparing for the arrival of your newborn, or you already are a parent you will find everything you need in our mother and baby ranges. We have everything from nappies and baby wipes to shampoo shields, baby food and baby clothes.

We know being a parent can be challenging at times, if you need any help or advice please speak to our pharmacist who can help.

Check your blood pressure

The only way of knowing whether you have high blood pressure is to have a blood pressure test.

All adults over 40 are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every 5 years. Getting this done is easy and could save your life.

You can get your blood pressure tested at a number of places, including:

• at your GP surgery
• at our pharmacy
• as part of your NHS Health Check
• in some workplaces

You can also check your blood pressure yourself with a home blood pressure monitor.

A simple blood test can help reduce your risk from some of the most serious conditions that typically show NO symptoms at all.

Blood screening is a medical process in which blood is scanned to test for a particular disease or condition. Although this procedure may be done for variety of reasons, the most common include Hepatitis screenings, pregnancy screenings, and screenings for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI). The use of a blood screenings may also be needed to check for things like Vitamin D levels and food intolerance.

It is known that food can cause many different types of reactions in the body. These may be evident in the skin (such as hives, rashes, itchiness, or swellings); the gut (such as reflux, vomiting, tummy pains, wind, diarrhoea, and constipation); when breathing (such as shortness of breath or a tight chest) or through generally feeling unwell. Some people put up with symptoms for years, which could get better if the foods causing these symptoms were cut out of the diet.

"Knowing what you're allergic to is key to managing your condition"

Finding out which foods are causing your symptoms can be straightforward for some people and incredibly tricky for others, dependent on what their symptoms are; how quickly the symptoms appear after eating a food; and which food (or foods) is causing a problem. We have partnered up with one of the largest independent providers of clinical laboratory diagnostic services in the UK. So that we provide our customers with the laboratory information required for diagnosis and treatment of medical disorders. Our blood screening service is painless, quick and carried out with the utmost discretion. The types of screenings offered at Bush Pharmacy are shown below, prices are heavily discounted with further discounts available on request. Please call us on 0208-7439254 or pop into the pharmacy for more information.

TESTS AVAILABLE

• Syphilis
• Hep B sag
• Hep C Abs
• 7 STDs by PCR
• Herpes Simplex I/II by PCR
• Lipid Profile
• Iron Status Profile
• Antimullarian Hormone
• Vitamin D (25 OH)
• Omega3/6
• Food Intolerance Profile
• HbA1c (diabetes test)
• DPD

The Full STI test includes:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhoea
• Herpes
• Mycoplasma Genitalium
• NSU/Ureaplasma Urealyticum
• Trichomoniasis
• Bacterial Vaginosis

The Food Intolerance tests a complete intolerance profile including trees, weeds, grasses, moulds, animals as well as foods

Body composition is a simple test that measures your body mass index, body fat, skeletal muscle percentages and waist circumference. A body composition test is one way to determine if your weight is healthy for your height since being overweight can strain your heart and lead to serious health problems.

A body composition test is recommended for everyone to for better insight into their health. Body composition testing is available at our Pharmacy for patients 18 and over.

treatment for chlamydia without needing to see your GP

We recommend that all adults should get a cholesterol check – no matter what your age or how healthy you feel.

Your cholesterol levels depend on your genes as well as your lifestyle, so the only way to know your cholesterol numbers is to get a check.

You can have your cholesterol tested in our pharmacy using a simple blood test. This is often a finger prick test, it’s quick, you only feel a small pinch, and the results can be checked there and then. Or, you might have a small blood sample taken from your arm using a needle and syringe, you will get the result immediately.

We stock a range of cosmetics

We provide lateral flow test kits 

We offer a wide range of the latest dental care products and accessories to help keep your gums and teeth in tip top condition.   Please call or visit.

Prescription strength Otomize Ear Spray for ear infections without needing to see your GP

If you have had sex without using contraception, or you think your contraception has failed, you may be able to use Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC). Every consultation is private and confidential and will be in a private consultation room. Our fully trained and accredited Pharmacist will supply EHC when appropriate to clients in line with the requirements of a locally agreed Patient Group Direction (PGD).

The PGD will specify the age range of clients that are eligible for the service; it may facilitate supply to young persons under 16 in appropriate circumstances. We will also provide support and advice to clients accessing the service, including advice on the avoidance of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) through safer sex and condom use, advice on the use of regular contraceptive methods and provide onward signposting to services that provide long-term contraceptive methods and diagnosis and management of STI’s. * Only available if commissioned in accordance with a local agreement.

Erection problems (impotence) are very common, particularly in men over 40. It's usually nothing to worry about, but you should see a GP if it keeps happening.

Most men occasionally fail to get or keep an erection.  Causes of erection problems can be stress, tiredness, anxiety or drinking too much alcohol, and it's nothing to worry about.

If it happens more often, it may be caused by physical or emotional problems.

Medicine such as sildenafil is often used by doctors to treat erectile dysfunction. It is also available from our pharmacy. You no longer need a prescription to get sildenafil.  You can have a private consultation with our pharmacist to make sure it's safe for you to take it.

We can advise you on buying and using thermometers and testing kits for home use. These show when a womens fertility is at its highest. Full information on how to use these kits is freely available from the pharmacist.

We stock a range of  the VERSET perfumes  'His' and 'Hers'.  Please call or visit for more information .  We have testers and if we do not have something in stock, can order in for you while stocks last. 

Make life easier for yourself and let us order your prescription on your behalf. Simply let us know what repeat medicines you need, a few days to a week before they run out and we will arrange to collect it from your Doctor's surgery. You may email us with your request or use our downloadable app to place order. Note that, it is more common to sign up to the Electronic Prescription Service either by telling your surgery or consenting to us nominating you at the pharmacy. 

Is hair loss causing you distress? Are you worried about what to do? Losing your hair can greatly affect your confidence and self-esteem. It is an issue that affects both men and women, with male pattern baldness being the most common form. Most men are affected by male pattern baldness as they get older, but unfortunately, some men do start to suffer much earlier in life. But for both men and women even signs of slight thinning can cause concerns.

Whether you are dealing with hair loss, or even if you just want to get a head start to help ensure your hair stays healthy for as long as possible, we offer a range of products for both men and women. From vitamins and supplements to foams and shampoos, we even have products to help conceal thinning hair.

One of the main hair loss treatments we also offer is Finasteride (Propecia). Men who suffer from male pattern baldness are sensitive to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone, which causes damage to hair follicles. Finasteride (Propecia) is a prescription strength treatment that reduces the level of this particular hormone, and in turn reverses any balding. If you think you could benefit from this treatment come in store today, and speak to our pharmacist for a quick consultation to see if the treatment is suitable for you. If it is, you should be able to take the medication away with you that day. Please note, the medication is chargeable and is for men only.

Always keep in mind that hair regrowth isn’t instant and takes time. Results may vary from person to person and in some cases products must be used continuously to maintain the effects. But the earlier you start helping to maintain normal healthy hair growth, the better.

If you are worried about hair loss then come in store today and speak to a pharmacist about your options. Our pharmacists are trained to make sure they have the right knowledge and skills in order to help you with any concerns you may have.

Every year many hundreds of travellers from the UK catch malaria and in tens of cases it is fatal. Symptoms can start rapidly. The correct anti-malarial medication is essential. We offer a Private Malaria Prevention Service. After a confidential assessment by a trained Pharmacist, the correct anti-malarial medication is supplied and appropriate advice given to the patient. 

This is an opportunity for our pharmacist to discuss and review the medicines you are taking to ensure you are using them correctly and getting the maximum benefit. We will explain clearly and simply, without any medical jargon, what they are for and the conditions they treat and identify any possible side effects that you may be experiencing. We will listen to you and any problems you are having with your medicines, provide advice and support and if necessary contact your Doctor to discuss any issues that arise from our conversation.

An MUR can help:

• improve your understanding of the medicines you are taking;
• highlight problematic side effects and propose solutions where appropriate;
• improve adherence
• reduce medicines wastage, usually by helping you only order the medicines you need

Our pharmacist may be able to conduct an MUR over the telephone or for eligible patient

Norethisterone to delay menstruation without seeing the GP

Prescription strength migraine treatment without having to see your GP

You can have a free NHS flu Jab at our pharmacy:
• If you are 50 years of age or over before 31 March 2022
• If you are pregnant
• If you are a carer

If you have certain medical conditions including:
• Asthma
• Chronic Respiratory Disease
• Heart Disease
• Diabetes
• Kidney Disease
• Liver Disease
• Neurological Disease

When you are prescribed a new medicine by your doctor our pharmacists can offer support and advice to ensure you take the new medication as prescribed without suffering any unwanted side effects or explain any further questions you may have. We usually do this by keeping in contact with you during the first 4 weeks of your new medicine being prescribed.

The service is only available for people living in England, and only for those who have been prescribed a new medicine for the conditions listed:

• asthma
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• type 2 diabetes 
• high blood pressure
• people who have been given a new blood-thinning medicine

The NMS can help:

• improve your adherence (taking your medicines correctly) which will generally lead to better health outcomes
• increase your engagement with your condition and medicines, supporting you to make decisions about your treatment and self-management
• reduce medicines wastage
• reduce hospital admissions due to adverse events from medicines

At Stevens Pharmacy we care about your long term health and if you are a smoker who wants to quit, but think you need help to kick the habit, our award winning Stop Smoking Service might be just what you are looking for.  We have had many successes over the years and wish to help you kick the habit.

We have an award-winning Clinical Pharmacist who is a Level 2 stop smoking adviser and also an Independent Prescriber with a track record  of helping people successfully quit.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable deaths accounting for more than 80,000 deaths each year. One in two smokers will die from a smoking related disease. If you could see the damage you would stop.

Circulation

When you smoke, the poisons from the tar in your cigarettes enter your blood. These poisons in your blood then:

• Make your blood thicker, and increase chances of clot formation
• Increase your blood pressure and heart rate, making your hear work harder than normal
• Narrow your arteries, reducing the amount of oxygen rick blood circulating in your organs.

Together these changes to your body when you smoke increase the chance of your arteries narrowing and clots forming which could lead to heart attack and stroke.

Stomach

Smokers have an increased chance of getting stomach cancer or ulcers. Smoking is a significant risk factor for developing kidney cancer and the more you smoke the greater the risk.

Skin

Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen that gets to your skin. This means your skin ages more quickly and looks grey and dull. The toxins in your body also cause cellulite. Smoking prematurely ages your skin by between 10 and 20 years increasing wrinkling particularly around the eyes and mouth. The only way to prevent further deterioration is to stop smoking.

Bones

Smoking can cause your bones to become weak and brittle predisposing to brittle bones (osteoporosis).

Brain

Smokers are more likely to have a stroke than someone who doesn’t smoke. Within two years of stopping smoking your risk of stoke is reduced to half that of a smoker and within five years it will be the same as a non-smoker.

Lungs

Your lungs can be very badly affected by smoking. Coughs, colds, wheezing and asthma are just the start. Smoking can cause fatal diseases such as pneumonia emphysema, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. You can slow down the progression of some of the diseases by stopping smoking.

Mouth and throat

This service is available in the following branches:

We keep records of all your prescriptions dispensed by us as well as records of other services we provide to you. This helps us check for possible problems, such as reactions between medicines and will help us deal with any queries you may have.  Our computer allows us to keep these records. We are registered with The Information Commissioners Office and comply with the Data Protection Act and the NHS code of practice on confidentiality. If you want to discuss the records we keep, please ask to speak to a member of staff or the pharmacist.

How can I delay my period?

There's no guaranteed way to delay your period, but it may be possible if you take the combined contraceptive pill. If you take a combined contraceptive pill, you can delay your period by taking 2 packets back-to-back.

How you do this will depend on which pill you take. Examples are:

• monophasic 21-day pills, such as Microgynon and Cilest – you take a combined pill for 21 days, followed by 7 days without pills, when you have a bleed (period). To delay your period, start a new packet of pills straight after you finish the last pill and miss out the 7-day break.
• everyday (ED) pills, such as Microgynon ED and Lorynon ED  – you take a combined pill every day. The first 21 pills are active pills and the next 7 pills are inactive or dummy pills, when you have your period. To delay your period, miss out and throw away the dummy pills, and start the active pills in a new packet straight away. 
• phasic 21-day pills, such as Binovium, Qlaira and Logynon – the mix of hormones in each pill is different, depending on which phase you're in. You need to take these pills in the correct order to have effective contraception. Ask your pharmacist, community contraception clinic or GP for more information.

Taking your contraceptive pills in the ways described above will not affect how they work as contraceptives. If you're not sure which pill you're on or which pills in the packet to miss out, speak to our pharmacist, community contraception clinic or GP.

Avoid taking more than 2 packs without a break, unless your GP says you can.

There's a risk you could experience side effects, such as:

• feeling sick
• being sick
• diarrhoea
• unexpected vaginal bleeding

Progestogen-only contraceptive pill

If you're taking a progestogen-only contraceptive pill, you cannot delay your period by taking 2 packets back-to-back. You may be able to switch to the combined contraceptive pill or take another medication to delay your period. If you're not sure which type of pill you're taking, speak to our pharmacist.

If you do not take a contraceptive pill

See your GP for advice if you want to delay your period and you're not taking the combined contraceptive pill.

After consultation our pharmacists are able to prescribe medication called norethisterone to delay your period, you will be advised you when to take norethisterone and for how long. You'll usually be prescribed 3 norethisterone tablets a day, starting 3 to 4 days before you expect your period to begin. Your period should arrive 2 to 3 days after you stop taking the medication. Please note, Norethisterone does not act as a contraceptive when used in this way, so you could still get pregnant. You'll need to use another type of contraceptive, such as a condom. Norethisterone may not be suitable if you have a history of blood clots.

How well it works in delaying periods also varies between women. Some women taking norethisterone have reported side effects, such as:

• breast tenderness
• nausea
• breast tenderness
• nausea
• headache
• disturbances in mood and sex drive
• headache
• disturbances in mood and sex drive

Switching to, or starting, the combined contraceptive pill

If you currently use another type of contraception, switching to the combined contraceptive pill will allow you to delay your period. You may also be able to start taking the combined pill if you do not already use contraception. You may need to start taking this pill several weeks before the time when you want to delay your period, and it's not suitable for everyone. If you're switching to or starting the combined contraceptive pill, you might need to use additional contraception during the first few days of taking it.

Ask our pharmacist for more information and advice.

Proctosedyl Suppositories and Ointment prescription strength treatment without the need to see your GP

We recommend you consider getting a flub jab If you don't qualify for an NHS vaccination but are:

• susceptible to colds and chest infections
• are self employed and unable to afford time off work
• would like to protect yourself from flu during peak season

This service is available on a walk in basis without an appointment and there is a charge but please call the pharmacy first.

Beginning in the early to mid 40s many adults may start to have problems seeing clearly reading, especially when working on a computer. Initially, you may need to hold reading materials further away to see them clearly. Print on newspapers or on restaurant menus may appear blurred, especially in dim lighting. This is caused by the eyes lens becoming less flexible with age and these changes will progress with time.

In the Pharmacy we stock a range of styles and strengths of reading glasses.

Sore throats are very common and usually nothing to worry about. They normally get better by themselves within a week.In our pharmacy we can do a test for a sore throat and consult for water infection and give antibiotics if appropriate-saving you an appointment with the GP.

How to treat a sore throat yourself

To help soothe a sore throat and shorten how long it lasts you can:

• gargle with warm salty water (children shouldn't try this)
• drink plenty of water – but avoid hot drinks
• eat cool or soft foods
• avoid smoking or smoky places
• suck ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets – but don't give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking
• rest

To help relieve the pain and discomfort of a sore throat you can:

• use paracetamol or ibuprofen
• use medicated lozenges or anaesthetic sprays (although there is little evidence they help)

You can buy them from our pharmacy without a prescription.

Antibiotic tonsillitis treatment without a prescription or seeing your GP

We can provide consultations over the phone.

Going abroad and need to know which vaccinations you require or need advice on precautions?

We provide travel consultations with experienced staff who will assess the impact of any pre-existing medical conditions on your vaccine requirements. Our competitive pricing and easily accessible location makes us your first choice for all your travel needs

• Expert Travel Consultation
  
• Hajj and Umrah
• Full range of vaccines in stock including ACWY
• Anti-malarials dispensed on site
• Walk In or Book Over the phone
• We offer a wide range of services at competitive prices
• Our friendly team is headed by an experienced Pharmacist

Walk in for a travel health consultation in our designated private consultation rooms today. We look forward to welcoming you and helping you with all your travel healthcare needs.

***During the covid-19 pandemic, all customers or patients intending to visit the pharmacy must be able to confirm they are not experiencing any symptoms of covid-19 and have not been asked to self isolate by track and trace or  have been asked to quarantine following travel from a high risk country. ***

A pre-travel risk assessment provides a good opportunity to discuss travel-associated risk management with your pharmacist.

You'll need to contact us to arrange this, ideally 6 to 8 weeks before you leave. If your trip is sooner, contact us anyway as we may still be able to help and could provide vital health information.

During the assessment, we will:

• confirm if you're up-to-date with your routine immunisations
• assess your particular health risks
• recommend any vaccines and/or anti-malarial tablets you may need

Altitude Sickness - the mildest form being acute mountain sickness (AMS), is the negative health effect of high altitude, caused by rapid exposure to low amounts of oxygen at high elevation. Symptoms may include headaches, vomiting, tiredness, trouble sleeping, and dizziness.

Cholera – Common in Africa, Central America and Asia, cholera is an infection spread by bacteria in contaminated food and water.

Diphtheria, Poliomyelitis and Tetanus - This diphtheria, polio and tetanus vaccine may also be recommended if you're travelling to an area of the world where there is a high risk of contracting these diseases, or poor access to medical care, and you haven't had a booster in the last ten years.

Hepatitis A – Contaminated faecal matter spreads hepatitis A, a disease often caught via infected food and water and common across in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America.

Hepatitis B – Unprotected sex is usually responsible for hepatitis A infection, along with sharing needles, visiting dirty tattoo parlours, unhygienic barbers shops and nail salons. It’s common in both undeveloped and developed countries.

Japanese Encephalitis – Spread by mosquitoes, there’s no cure for this disease found across South East Asia, Japan, and tropical regions of Australia. There are also occasional epidemics in China and India.

Malaria – A highly dangerous disease spread by infected mosquitoes, malaria is common in the equatorial tropics and subtropics.

Meningitis; ACWY Vaccination for Hajj or Umrah – A bacterial infection, this disease tends to be commonest in sub-Saharan Africa. But it’s also sometimes found where it’s crowded and where there’s imperfect hygiene, for example universities and army camps. 

Rabies – Infected animal and human bites and scratches spread this awful disease, which is particularly common in Thailand, Brazil and India.

Tick-borne Encephalitis – A tick-borne virus found in eastern, northern and central Europe as well as eastern Russia, east Asia, China and Japan.

Typhoid – Bacteria are responsible for this infection and it’s found throughout the world, a risk wherever sanitation and hygiene are poor.

A urinary tract Infection (UTI) can occur in any part of your urinary system. Women are at greatest risk with symptoms including a burning feeling when you urinate, a frequent urge to urinate, even though little comes out when you do and pain in your back or lower abdomen.  In addition your urine in often cloudy, dark, smelly and may have blood in it.

Our Pharmacy is registered to treat some Urinary Tract Infections without having to visit your GP.  If you are a woman between 16 - 65 years old, have not had antibiotic treatment for a urinary tract infection in the last 28 days and have not had more than three previous urinary infections in the last year please speak to our Pharmacist.  The Pharmacist will discuss your symptoms and whether you are eligible for treatment directly from the Pharmacy.

We provide a vaccination service and a range of vaccinations are available, please contact the pharmacy for further details.

We stock a range of  popular vitamins and supplements aimed at boosting your immune system, nutrition, pre-conception, pregnancy. women's and men's health. Also available in the pharmacy, vitamin D which has been recommended for all of us, especially if you are in a clinical risk group and vulnerable to the effects of covid-19. As our experienced staff for more in formation or ask to speak with the Pharmacist, 

We are here to help you make good choices. If you are struggling losing weight, please ask the pharmacist to help you beat the bulge.

The term obese describes a person who is very overweight. There are two ways of checking your weight status. Firstly, Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of whether you’re a healthy weight for your height. A BMI of > 25 means you are over-weight.

Another measure of excess fat is your waist circumference. Generally, men with a waist circumference of 94cm or more and women with a waist circumference of 80 cm or more are more likely to develop obesity related health problems. These include

Type 2 diabetes, Coronary heart disease, some types of cancer, such as breast cancer and bowel cancer and stroke. If you are worried about diabetes we can give you a diabetic test.

Obesity can also affect your quality of life and lead to psychological problems such as depression and low self-esteem. Please let us help you before your weight gets out of control.

We can offer weight management help.  Pharmacists are ideally placed to help you manage your weight as they already provide many health services to customers, including stop smoking services, blood pressure and cholesterol measurements and general advice on nutrition and healthy living. Pharmacists also know when a weight problem can be managed in the pharmacy and when there is a medical problem that needs co-operation with the doctor.

Ask us for advice on how to get started.