OTHER TESTS TO ASK YOUR CHEMIST ABOUT

AS WELL as blood pressure checks and finger-prick blood tests to check cholesterol levels, the NHS has announced new on-the-spot heart health checks in pharmacies. Here are some of the other free checks available in High Street chemists ...

FLU VACCINE: The jabs are available free for over-65s, pregnant women, carers and those with conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and heart, kidney or liver disease.

ASTHMA ADVICE: Inhaler checks ensure patients are using their inhaler correctly and receiving the right dose of medication.

HEARING TESTS: These can determine your level of hearing loss in ten minutes, so you know whether a hearing aid is necessary.

SMOKING SUPPORT: Smoking cessation services offer free support and, in some cases, free nicotine replacement products — gels, patches and gum.

GUIDANCE ON PILLS: A medicines check-up offers advice on the best time to take medication (before or after food, morning or evening), how to store it and how to avoid side-effects. The 15-minute check is aimed at people taking a number of different medications for long-term conditions; research suggests half of patients may not be taking their medicines correctly.

AND SOME YOU CAN PAY FOR . . .

CERTAIN pharmacies offer paid-for services such as scans to check for abnormal moles (from £35); travel vaccinations; a blood glucose test for diabetes; and flu jabs for non-high-risk groups (around £13).

An on-the-spot test for urinary tract infections including cystitis, which costs £10, is also on offer. If it proves positive, the pharmacist can prescribe a treatment.