To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how he is encouraging people to seek advice on minor ailments from their pharmacist in the first instance, instead of a GP or Emergency Department.

My Department is promoting more responsible use of Emergency Departments, Community Pharmacies and GP Practices by encouraging patients to use the service most appropriate to their symptoms through various initiatives such as the Choose Well Campaign, the Ask the Pharmacist Week and the Self Care Week.

The Choose Well campaign aims to create a better understanding among the general public of what medical care services are available to them, how and when to access these services. The Choose Well campaign ran from November 2013 – March 2014 and will run again this year. It will again focus on self care, the advice and treatment available from community pharmacies; GP Out of Hours services; Minor Injuries Units and appropriate use of Emergency Departments. The campaign will be publicised via a wide range of media such as TV, advertising posters, distribution of leaflets across various public bodies and facilities, adverts in the press and supported with the use of NI Direct website and social media.