01473 286203

NHS Pharmacy First Service

The NHS has expanded the existing NHS Urgent Supply and Minor Ailments Scheme, enabling pharmacies to treat seven common conditions without the need to visit your GP

What conditions are treatable at the pharmacy?

Details of Conditions covered and Eligibility criteria

Condition Inclusion criteria Exclusion criteria
Acute Ear Infection 1 - 17 years  ​Pregnant under 16
 Recurrent infection
     (three times in 6 months, 4 times in 12 months)
Acute Sore Throat 5+ years  Pregnant & under 16
Acute Sinusitis 12+ years  Pregnant & under 16
 Immunosuppressed
 Chronic sinusitis (symptoms > 12 weeks)
Impetigo 1+ years  Pregnant & under 16
 Bullous impetigo
 Recurrent infection (twice or more in 12 months)
Infected Insect Bites 1+ years  Pregnant & under 16
Shingles 18+ years  Pregnancy
Uncomplicated urinary tract infection
(UTI) in women 		16 - 64 years  Pregnancy
 Urinary catheter
 Recurrent infection
    (twice in 6 months, three times in 12 months)
do i need an appointment?

We do not currently require an appointment and we are happy to accommodate walk-in consultations. As this service is brand new and demand may increase, it may become necessary for us to operate an appointments system in future to ensure the smooth running of the pharmacy.

will i receive antibiotics?

Although antibiotics will be available for the listed conditions, various strict criteria need to be met before they are issued. In many cases, antibiotics will not be the most appropriate treatment.

what does the consultation with a pharmacist involve?

The pharmacist will run through the symptoms you have and for several conditions the pharmacist will perform an examination, for example acute otitis media and sore throat.

can you treat anybody?

There are age restrictions for each of the conditions and there are also certain groups (pregnancy) who are excluded from some of the ailments. See the table above to see exclusions.

is the service and medication free of charge?

The provision of the consultation is an NHS service and is free of charge. If a medication is issued as a result of the consultation and you normally pay a prescription charge, the medicine provided will attract the current prescription fee.