Think Pharmacy First

Posted on:

Need healthcare advice? Thinking ‘Pharmacy First’ makes it easier to get help. When you contact the surgery, you may be referred to the Pharmacy First Service.

Pharmacy First is a new service provided by NHS England to help you get access to the right care from the right person at the right time for seven common conditions that require advice and treatment. Instead of having to go to your GP practice for this, which potentially could cause a delay in your treatment, you can go straight to a pharmacy offering Pharmacy First, or be referred by your GP Practice, NHS111 or another medical or emergency care setting.  The seven common conditions are:

  1. Sinusitis (adults and children agreed 12 years and over)
  2. Sore throat (adults and children aged 5 years and over)
  3. Earache (children and young adults aged 1 year to 17 years)
  4. Infected insect bite (children and adults aged 1 year and over)
  5. Impetigo (adults and children aged 1 year and over)
  6. Shingles (adults aged 18 years and over)
  7. Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (women, aged 16 to 64 years)

If you have symptoms that suggest you may have one of these conditions, you can now walk into a pharmacy and be offered a consultation with the pharmacist.

Under the new service, pharmacists can provide advice and, if clinically necessary, will offer an NHS medicine to treat it (NHS prescription charges apply if you normally pay for medicines supplied on prescription).

Should the pharmacy team be unable to help, you will be directed to your GP surgery or A&E as appropriate.

By thinking ‘Pharmacy First’, people will find it easier and quicker to get the help they need and bypass the 8am rush to book an appointment with their GP.

🔍 Find the service at a pharmacy near you: https://bit.ly/3vPV09F