Pharmacy First

Fast, professional NHS care for selected common conditions, helping you get advice and treatment more quickly through your local pharmacy.

Pharmacy First is an NHS service that allows community pharmacies to provide advice and, where appropriate, treatment for a number of common conditions. It has been introduced to make healthcare more accessible and more convenient, allowing patients to receive support through their pharmacy without always needing to wait for another appointment first. The service helps patients access timely care in a familiar local setting while still receiving professional input from a trained healthcare team.

Community pharmacies are already one of the most accessible parts of the NHS, and Pharmacy First builds on that role. Instead of seeing pharmacy only as a place to collect medication, this service shows how pharmacy can also be a first point of contact for selected clinical concerns. Patients can speak with a trained pharmacist, explain their symptoms, and be guided through the most appropriate next step in a professional and efficient way.

The service is designed to be straightforward, safe, and reassuring. If your symptoms fall within the scope of the service, the pharmacy team can assess your situation and provide support in line with the NHS pathway. If the service is not suitable for your needs, you can still be advised on what to do next. This means the service is not only convenient, but also responsible and patient-focused.

Pharmacy First in England can support eligible patients with the following common conditions:

• Sinusitis
• Sore throat
• Earache
• Infected insect bites
• Impetigo
• Shingles
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in eligible women

The pharmacy team will assess whether the service is appropriate for your symptoms and whether treatment can be provided through the Pharmacy First pathway. If not, you will still be guided towards the most suitable next step.

Pharmacy First is important because it improves access to timely care. When people are feeling unwell, they often want reassurance and treatment as soon as possible. Delays can increase discomfort, uncertainty, and inconvenience. By giving eligible patients a direct route into professional pharmacy care, the service helps reduce waiting times and makes it easier to receive support sooner.

It is also important because it helps patients access care in the right place. Not every concern requires a GP appointment, and community pharmacy is often well placed to support common conditions safely. This helps the wider NHS by ensuring different parts of the system are used appropriately, while still keeping patients at the centre of care.

• Helps patients access support more quickly
• Offers convenient local NHS care
• Provides a professional first point of contact
• Supports the wider NHS by reducing pressure elsewhere
• Encourages patients to seek help sooner

Choosing our pharmacy for Pharmacy First means choosing a team that combines professional NHS care with a friendly and approachable service. We understand that when you are unwell, you want advice that is not only clinically sound, but also clear, timely, and easy to understand. Our team aims to make every consultation feel supportive, respectful, and straightforward from start to finish.

As a local pharmacy, we take pride in being accessible to the community we serve. Patients choose us because we provide care that feels personal as well as professional. We listen carefully, assess appropriately, and explain options clearly, helping you feel more confident in the advice and treatment you receive.

• Trusted local healthcare team
• Convenient and accessible service
• Clear, professional advice
• Welcoming pharmacy environment
• Patient-focused support at every step