NEW PHARMACY FIRST SERVICE – 31st January 2024
The NHS is launching an expansion of community pharmacy services. You can now go to a local pharmacy for advice and treatment for seven common conditions and your pharmacist may provide some prescription medicine without you needing to see a GP.
From today, if you or a family member is suffering with a sore throat or sinusitis, an ear infection, an infected insect bite, impetigo, shingles, or even an uncomplicated urinary tract infection. A full list of conditions can be found below. – just think, PHARMACY FIRST.
This is part of a major plan to make accessing healthcare in your local community more convenient. If the pharmacist thinks that you need to see a doctor then he/she will refer you to the practice.
By giving people more choice in where and how they access care, it will help GPs cope with the ever growing demand for appointments.
To find your nearest pharmacy, visit https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy.
• sinusitis
• sore throat
• acute otitis media (earache)
• infected insect bite
• impetigo
• shingles
• uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women
Other ailments for which you can see the local pharmacist include
• Acne, spots, and pimples
• Allergic reaction
• Ankle or foot pain or swelling
• Athlete’s foot
• Bites or stings, insect, or spider
• Blisters
• Constipation
• Cough
• Cold and ‘flu
• Diarrhoea
• Ear discharge or ear wax
• Eye, red or irritable
• Eye, sticky or watery
• Eyelid problems
• Hair loss
• Headache
• Hearing problems or blocked ear
• Hip, thigh, or buttock pain or swelling itch
• Knee or lower leg pain
• Lower back pain
• Knee or lower leg pain
• Lower back pain
• Lower limb pain or swelling
• Mouth ulcers
• Nasal congestion
• Pain and/or frequency passing urine.
• Rectal pain
• Scabies
• Scratches and grazes
• Shoulder pain
• Skin, blisters or rash
• Sleep difficulties
• Teething
• Tiredness
• Toe pain or swelling
• Vaginal discharge
• Vaginal itch or soreness
• Vomiting
• Wound problems – management of dressings.
• Wrist, hand, or finger pain or swelling
This service has been running successfully across the border for some time so its great to have this available to the rest of our area.