IT starts with a tickle in the throat or a slight runny nose, and then suddenly you’re running a fever hot enough to grill cheese, but getting into the doctors is nigh on impossible with most of the population also bed-ridden with raging viruses.
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Very few people though seem to be aware that for symptoms like cold and flu or gastroenteritis, a visit to your pharmacy will provide you with a sick leave certificate, and also any medication that is needed.
Pharmacist in charge at McCarthy’s Life Pharmacy Nathan Wood said that the scheme has been in place since July 2009 but was only being used by one or two people a day.
“We assess the patient and issue the certificate here in the pharmacy,” he said.
“It’s really only suitable for those showing the general conditions for those main minor ailments. We can also issue carer’s certificates for those that are looking after a child that is ill.”
Blooms the Chemist owner and pharmacist Melanie Moses, said that there were strict limits put in place regarding the system.
“It can’t be retrospective. You can’t come in on Wednesday saying you were sick on Monday, you have to be showing the symptoms when you come in,” she said.
“You also can’t get a certificate that lasts for more than two days.”
When the legislation was changed in 2009, some members of the Australian Medical Association raised concerns that having non-medical people certifying medical conditions, and an individual’s fitness to work, was a concern for employers and employees, but Ms Moses says that simply hasn’t occurred.
“This really is about taking the pressure off the system for those minor ailments,” she said.
“We mainly see people with colds and flu, or gastroenteritis and there is no appointment necessary. Anyone with anything more serious needs to visit their family doctor.”
