NHS Pharmacy First Service

Pharmacy First is an NHS service that allows our pharmacists to assess, advise, and treat a select range of common conditions without you needing to wait for a GP appointment. Pharmacy First aims to treat conditions including sinusitis, sore throat, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. 

You can either refer yourself to our Pharmacy First service by filling out a few short questions on our website, or you may be referred by your GP, NHS 111, or another healthcare provider. Once your symptoms and condition have been assessed, either from your answers or the referral details, you’ll be invited to book a video appointment with one of our pharmacists. 

 If you’re eligible, you’ll receive advice or treatment, which may include a prescription. If you’re not eligible, we’ll guide you to another healthcare provider that is better suited to offer the care you need.  

Our pharmacists are trained to treat six main conditions under the Pharmacy First service: sinusitis, sore throat, shingles, infected insect bites, impetigo, and UTIs in women. Each case will be reviewed individually to assess your symptoms and determine whether treatment under this service is appropriate.  

Pharmacy First is free under the NHS. However, if your treatment requires a prescription, standard NHS prescription charges may apply depending on your circumstances. If you’re exempt from paying for prescriptions, this exemption still applies.  

Depending on availability and our opening times, appointments can often be booked for the same day. Before booking your video call, your condition and symptoms will need to be reviewed by a pharmacist. If eligible, you’ll be able to choose from the earliest available time slots.  

If your symptoms worsen while you’re waiting for your appointment, or if you feel you cannot manage until your appointment, please seek alternative care via GP, NHS 111 or 999 depending on the severity.  

Unfortunately, you must be registered to a GP surgery in England to use this service. Once you have received treatment, or if a referral is needed, your GP will be notified to help ensure ongoing care.  

Our pharmacists are registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and have received specialist training through NHS-approved programmes to deliver the Pharmacy First service safely and effectively. We maintain high clinical governance to ensure patient safety, confidentiality, and quality of care. 

If your condition falls outside the eligibility criteria, or if your symptoms suggest that more urgent or specialist care is needed, we’ll refer you to the most appropriate service. This could be your GP or an urgent care provider. You will never be left without advice: if we can’t treat you, we’ll make sure you’re directed to someone who can.