Children with coughs, colds, aches and pains should be taken to a pharmacy for treatment, not hospital.

The health body responsible for buying services in the borough, Barking and Dagenham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), today issued the reminder as part of NHS England’s Stay Well Pharmacy campaign.

The initiative is part of efforts to reduce pressure on GPs and A&E services.

“It’s natural to be worried when a young child is unwell, but your local pharmacy team is on hand to offer fast, convenient clinical support on a wide range of minor health concerns – with no need to book an appointment,” said CCG chair Dr Waseem Mohi.

Only five per cent of parents with children under five in London see pharmacies as the first place to go for advice or treatment if their young one falls ill, the CCG says.

For a list of pharmacy services in the borough, click here.