WATFORD and Three Rivers residents will no longer have to go and see their GP each time they want a repeat prescription, say a local health trust.

From the beginning of October, patients will be able to arrange the collection of repeat prescriptions directly from their pharmacist.

Instead of having to make repeat visits to the GP, residents can be given a prescription lasting up to a year and pharmacists can dispense their medicines when they are needed.

Patients will have the chance to talk to their pharmacist about how they have been getting on with their medicine and how they are feeling in general.

This change in the system follows an agreement earlier this year between pharmacists from around the country and the NHS to offer a wider range of services.

Watford and Three Rivers Primary Care Trust (PCT) is using the change to encourage people to make use of these services.

A spokesman for the PCT said : "Most of us make an appointment with our GP or practice nurse to discuss health issues but your local pharmacist is well qualified to talk to you about your health with no appointment necessary."

Apart from offering repeat prescriptions, pharmacists will also give advice to improve public health on healthy eating, stopping smoking and regular exercise.

They will also dispose of unwanted medicines and offer advice on which over the counter medicines are best to treat minor ailments such as coughs, sore throats, rashes, eye problems and earache.

Member of the PCT's professional executive committee and community pharmacist, Giresh Mehta, said: "Pharmacists are an integral part of the primary care team and now work even more closely with other healthcare professionals to improve the health of the nation.

"I hope that patients take advantage of this useful resource, set in the heart of their community."