DOCTORS are urging patients to consider local pharmacies as a source of medical advice during national 'Ask Your Pharmacist Week'.

Running from November 7 - 13, the week intends to point out the benefits of visiting your local pharmacy over GP or A&E services for non-life or limb-threatening ailments.

Dr Geoff Payne, medical director for Bucks, said: “People may be pleasantly surprised at how much support their pharmacist can offer with their overall health and well being”.

As pharmacists are fully qualified to give advice on medicinal uses, common health problems and healthy lifestyle choices, patients are being persuaded to consider this route before visiting their GP.

According to Dr Payne, avoiding appointments not only saves the patient's time, but enables these services to be available for those with emergencies.

For more advice follow NHS Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire cluster's twitter stream at @NHSBucks