Visit your Pharmacy First

Published: 26 March 2024

Patients can now get treatment for seven common conditions directly from their local pharmacy, without the need for a GP appointment or prescription.

The Pharmacy First scheme was launched by the government and NHS England on 31 January 2024 to give patients quick and accessible care and ease pressure on GP services.

The seven common conditions that can now be treated at the Pharmacy are:

·      -  Sinusitis

·       - Sore throat

·       - Earache

·       - Infected insect bite

·       - Impetigo (a bacterial skin infection)

·       - Shingles

·       - Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.

Patients will be able to receive treatment for these conditions by walking into the pharmacy and speaking to the pharmacist privately.

Every pharmacist trains for five years in the use of medicines and managing minor illnesses, so they are well equipped to provide health and wellbeing advice to stay well.

After a consultation with the pharmacist, the pharmacy will send a notification to the patient’s GP.

This new service is expected to free up GP appointments for patients who need them most and will give people quicker and more convenient access to safe and high quality healthcare.

For more information on this, click here to visit NHS England.