What is NHS Pharmacy First?
The NHS Pharmacy First service is a major healthcare initiative designed to give patients faster, convenient access to clinical consultations and prescription treatments directly from their community pharmacy—without needing an appointment with a GP.
Under the scheme, our prescribing pharmacists are accredited to evaluate, examine, and—where clinically indicated—supply prescription-only medicines (POM) for seven common minor ailments.
The 7 Conditions Covered
- Earache (Ages 1 to 17 years): Otitis media assessment and treatment.
- Sore Throat (Ages 5+): Centor and FeverPAIN clinical scoring to determine if antibiotic therapy is required.
- Sinusitis (Ages 12+): Severe nasal congestion, facial pain, and discharge lasting more than 10 days.
- Infected Insect Bites (Ages 1+): Rapid antimicrobial treatment for localised redness, swelling, and pain.
- Impetigo (Ages 1+): Topical or oral treatment for weeping sores and honey-coloured crusts.
- Shingles (Ages 18+): Early antiviral intervention to prevent post-herpetic neuralgia.
- Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) (Women ages 16 to 64): Direct prescription antibiotics for burning or urgency symptoms.
How to Access the Service
You can walk into any of our pharmacies—Belvedere, Kidbrooke, or Lowfield—during our normal opening hours, or your GP receptionist and NHS 111 can electronically refer you directly to our consultation room.
Clinical Reminder: Consultations take place in our fully private consulting rooms to ensure complete confidentiality and clinical comfort.
