Common Ailment Scheme

All Wales Service

Help for common illnesses

If you want help dealing with a common illness such as a cold, cough or diarrhoea, you may be able to use the free NHS Minor Ailment Scheme at selected pharmacies. Your local pharmacist will be able to offer advice and may be able to offer you medicines for a minor illness without you having to book an appointment to see your GP.

How it works

• Talk to a pharmacist about your illness and they will offer advice
• If a medicine is needed, the pharmacist will check your eligibility and whether the illness is covered by the scheme.
• A suitable medicine may be offered to you.

What minor illnesses are covered?

• acne vulgaris
• allergic rhinitis
• athlete’s foot
• lower back pain without radiculopathy (acute)
• chickenpox (in children under 14 years of age)
• cold sores
• conjunctivitis (bacterial)
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• dry eye disease
• dry skin (includes contact dermatitis and atopic eczema)
• dyspepsia
• haemorrhoids
• head lice
• infantile colic
• ingrowing toenail
• mouth ulcers (simple aphthous)
• nappy rash
• oral candidiasis
• ringworm (tinea corporis), tinea cruris and intertrigo
• scabies
• sore throat (interim guidance)
• teething
• threadworms
• vulvovaginal candidiasis
• warts and verrucae