More on community pharmacy services

Have you heard about Pharmacy First? Your pharmacist can do so much more than complete your prescription. They can offer expert clinical advice for minor health concerns and help with many common illnesses like sore throats, coughs, colds, tummy troubles, aches and pains. 

Pharmacists are trained experts in managing minor illnesses and using medicines safely. They can advise you on the safe use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines too. Most local pharmacies have private consultation rooms where your pharmacist can talk to you confidentially.

In May 2023, NHS England and the Department for Health and Social Care announced that patients who need prescription medication may be able to get it directly from a pharmacy. On 31 January 2024 the pharmacy first service launched, meaning patients can now visit without a GP appointment, for seven common conditions which are listed below: 

• Shingles - 18 years and over
• Sore throat - 5 years and over
• Infected insect bites - 1 year and over
• Earaches in children 1 to 17 years
• Sinusitis - 12 years and over
• Impetigo - 1 year and over
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) in women 16 to 64 years

Please note that in some cases, those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, immunocompromised or who have recurring problems may not be eligible for treatment at a pharmacy.

Click the image and watch the video below to learn a little more.

So how does it work?

This scheme builds on the great work pharmacies already do in our community to support you in managing minor illnesses at home. 

For the seven health conditions above, pharmacists will have a private conversation with a patient to see if they can help them manage their condition through self-care. If this is not helping then in some cases (if appropriate) the pharmacist will be able to provide medicines to help treat the illness following the consultation.

Why is this a positive step?

This is great for patients as it means they can potentially get seen and treated in a local pharmacy without the need to make an appointment with their GP surgery. 

It also frees up GP surgery appointments so practices can focus on managing patients with more complex health needs.

Since October 2021, community pharmacies across England have been able to offer an NHS blood pressure check service to people over 40, as an easy and convenient way for you to get to know your numbers. 

If you are found to have a confirmed high blood pressure reading, the pharmacist can follow up with further monitoring, over a 24-hour period, and urgently refer you for further treatment if it should be needed.

Your blood pressure readings are sent to your GP from the community pharmacy, so your records can be updated and appropriate action taken.

You can use the link below to find a pharmacy near you which offers the service. Find pharmacies offering blood pressure checks.

It's really worth taking a look at the information linked above or popping into your local community pharmacy today to ask if they are providing the blood pressure check service as the first you know of it could be as serious as a stroke of heart attack.

If you would like to know more about the risks associated with high blood pressure and the changes you can make visit our blood pressure information page.

This service launched on 1st December 2023, allowing for both initiation and on-going supply of oral contraception, offering greater choice from where people can access contraception services.

You can use this service if you:

· are using the contraceptive pill for the first time

· are starting the contraceptive pill again after a break from taking it

· already been prescribed the contraceptive pill and require a further supply

You can access this service by being referred from your GP, sexual health clinic or urgent treatment centre or you can self-refer by walking in to a community pharmacy offering the service and asking for an appointment.

The pharmacist has gone through robust training to provide the service and will work with you to choose the most appropriate oral contraceptive for your needs.

The pharmacist with your consent can share the consultation outcome with your GP to keep your records up to date, but don’t worry, the consultation can still proceed if you do not wish for information to be shared with your GP.

Please use the following link to show which pharmacies are currently offering this service. Find a pharmacy that offers the contraceptive pill without a prescription - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

This service allows you to collect your regular repeat prescription medicines direct from your local pharmacy for an agreed period of time, without having to go back to your GP. You will need to give your permission to your GP for him/her to share information with your chosen pharmacist. When you need your prescription, instead of requesting it from your GP, you will be able to get your medicines directly from your local pharmacy.

A service for people receiving their first prescription for a medicine* to treat long term conditions. (certain medicines only

If you have any medicines that you no longer use, you can take them to your local pharmacy for safe disposal.

Other services that may be available at your local pharmacy:

• emergency and oral contraception
• asthma inhaler use and advice
• chlamydia screening and treatment
• stop smoking service
• substance misuse service, including needle and syringe exchange schemes
• weight management service
• flu and COVID-19 vaccinations