Going to your local pharmacy offers an easy and convenient way to get clinical advice on minor health concerns, and now community pharmacies can offer treatment and, when appropriate, some prescription medicine, for seven common conditions without patients needing to see a GP, as part of a major transformation in the way the NHS delivers care.
Highly trained pharmacists can assess, treat, and if needed, provide some prescription medicine sinusitis (aged 12 years and over), sore throat (aged 5 years and over), earache (aged 1 to 17 years), infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over), impetigo (aged 1 year and over), shingles (aged 18 years and over) and urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women aged 16 to 64 years), without needing to see a GP.
Community pharmacy teams are highly-skilled, qualified health professionals who have the right clinical training to give people the health advice they need. Patients don’t need an appointment and private consultation rooms are available. Pharmacy teams can also signpost to other relevant local services where necessary.
Pharmacists have always helped patients, families and carers in their communities stay healthy and are well placed to offer treatment for health conditions. By expanding the services community pharmacies offer, the NHS is aiming to free up GP appointments and give people more choice in how and where they access care.
Don’t wait for minor health concerns to get worse – think pharmacy first and get seen by your local pharmacy team.
For more information, visit nhs.uk/thinkpharmacyfirst
