Think Pharmacy First: How your local chemist can save you a GP trip
Dodge the GP queues with a new local service
BRING BALANCE TO YOUR INBOX
Sign up below to receive emails from BALANCE with news, trending stories, exclusive offers, competitions and more.
Did you know the highly trained professionals at your local pharmacist can now treat ear infections, sore throats, and more – no GP visit needed? Here’s how this game-changing NHS service works.
Next time you have a minor health issue, consider visiting your local community pharmacy.
Introduced in January 2024, the NHS Pharmacy First service allows community pharmacists to provide treatment and some prescription medication for seven common conditions – outlined below – without the need for a GP appointment. This has seen community pharmacies quickly becoming the go-to healthcare option for many.
The seven conditions that community pharmacists can now provide prescription medication for, without needing a GP appointment, are:
This new service offers quicker, more convenient access to treatment, reducing pressure on GP surgeries.
Why think ‘pharmacy first’?
We all lead busy lives and taking time to go to the GP may not always be the most convenient option – particularly for parents, when their child is unwell. The new services available in high street pharmacists allow patients to walk-in to their local pharmacy to get support quickly and easily.
When retired GP Alastair McLachlan’s 14-month-old granddaughter got a bad ear infection, her parents were really worried. She had a high fever and was in a lot of pain. They turned to Alastair for help, and he suggested they visit a pharmacy, having heard about the new services on offer. Alastair took his granddaughter to his local pharmacy, Carrington Pharmacy in Nottingham, where he knew community pharmacist Deepak Bilakhia.
Deepak, who has run Carrington Pharmacy for 30 years, assessed Alastair’s granddaughter in a private consultation room and diagnosed her with otitis media (earache) and was able to prescribe her the right medication on the same visit.
Pharmacist Deepak Bilakhia at Carrington Pharmacy.
Thanks to Alastair knowing about the Pharmacy First scheme, his granddaughter was treated the same day, and now her parents know they don’t always need to visit their GP for minor health conditions and that some prescription medications can be obtained from their local pharmacy.
Alastair said, “As a retired GP, I know that time and convenience are often front of people’s mind when managing their health. When my granddaughter had a severe ear infection, it was a relief that my local pharmacy was able to diagnose and offer prescription medication on the day without a GP appointment.
“I encourage everyone to think ‘pharmacy first’ and I’m reassured knowing that community pharmacists can support families and children like my granddaughter with minor health conditions. Not only is this a great service for patients but it also relieves some pressure on very busy GP practices.”
Not just prescriptions – whole-person care
Pharmacists are well-placed to manage minor health issues, being highly trained professionals who undergo five years of education in medicines and minor illness management. They are equipped to assess symptoms and recommend treatment, supplying prescription-only medicines where appropriate.
Under Pharmacy First, community pharmacists also ensure that advice and treatment meet the same standards as general practice consultations, and often work closely with GP practices, alerting them about the treatment provided to ensure continuity of care.
Your local pharmacist can also play a key role in your family’s overall wellness. Topics they can advise on include lifestyle choices such as healthy eating, physical activity and weight management, as well as a wide range of minor illnesses, and more specific conditions like diabetes. They can also provide information and signpost individuals to appropriate support for mental health conditions like stress, anxiety, and depression.
Deepak Bilakhia adds, “Community Pharmacists are highly trained and can provide expert advice for minor health conditions. The Pharmacy First service helps us reach patients faster, so they can get the care they need before it gets worse. We can also provide consultations privately, and if needed, we will let you know if you do need to visit your GP for your condition. Patients often appreciate the convenience of seeing us directly, without needing an appointment.”
Popping into your local pharmacy could save you a GP trip – and get you feeling better, faster. The experts at your local pharmacy are ready to help, ensuring you receive the right care at the right time. Thinking pharmacy first helps benefit the NHS overall, freeing up GP time for patients with more complex needs.
For more information, and to find your local pharmacy visit: nhs.uk/thinkpharmacyfirst