The Welsh government is trialling its national common ailments service across pharmacies in two areas from April, with plans to roll out the scheme across the country in the next three years.

The scheme will start at two sites within Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board in north Wales and Cwm Taf Health Board in the south of the country and could be in pharmacies throughout the country by 2016, the Welsh government told C+D this week.

The two trial sites will be subject to evaluation to "ensure effective use of healthcare resources is delivered", the Welsh government said

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Financial details of the scheme have not yet been revealed but a government spokesperson told C+D this week that the two sites would be subject to an external evaluation "to establish the cost benefit and utility of the service to ensure effective use of healthcare resources is delivered". Details of the evaluation were not confirmed but it would be used to determine whether the national rollout would take place and be completed by April 2016, the spokesperson said.

These are the first details of the scheme's initial stages to be announced since health minister Lesley Griffiths announced in March last year that the service, known initially as the minor ailments service, would be rolled out across the country in two years.

At the time the government said the scheme would help make pharmacy the first port of call for the treatment of a range of ailments such as headlice, constipation, hayfever, coughs and sore throats, and athlete's foot. Pharmacists will give advice and supply medicines free of charge from a defined list or refer patients to GPs if necessary.

Russell Goodway, chief executive of Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW), which has been developing the scheme with the government, told C+D this week the service was a "breakthrough for patient care in Wales".

"[It] recognises the key skills of community pharmacy as the first port of call for the public for day-to-day ailments and also utilises the community pharmacy network's strength as the most accessible part of NHS Wales," he said.

Mr Goodway said the government had adopted a "practical approach" with the rollout starting in one urban area of south Wales and one rural area of north Wales.

Last year health minister Lesley Griffiths said the service would promote a more appropriate use of GP and pharmacy skills, promote self-care and increase the collaboration between community services for the benefit of patients.

Patients will be required to register with their local pharmacy to access the service, but will not have to make appointments.

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