Frequently asked questions

It is an NHS service that lets community pharmacists give advice and, where appropriate, NHS treatment for seven common conditions that used to need a GP. For these conditions you can come straight to the pharmacy without an appointment or referral.

Seven: sinusitis, sore throat, earache (acute otitis media), infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women. Each has its own age criteria, shown on our conditions pages.

The Pharmacy First consultation is funded by the NHS, so there is no charge for it. If any treatment is supplied, normal NHS prescription charges and exemptions apply, the same as they would at a GP.

No. For the seven conditions you can walk in or contact the pharmacy directly. You may also be referred by your GP practice or NHS 111, but a referral is not required.

Where it is clinically appropriate under the NHS pathway, the pharmacist can supply treatment including antibiotics or antivirals. They will only do so when it is the right course of action, and will give self-care advice or refer you if it is not.

Yes, within the age range for each condition. Some conditions have age limits for clinical reasons — for example earache is for ages 1 to 17. If a child is not eligible, the pharmacist will still advise and refer if needed.

Yes. The consultation takes place in a private, confidential consultation area. The pharmacist may ask about your medical history, medicines and allergies, and for some conditions may examine you — for example looking in the ear for earache.

The pharmacist will still help — with self-care advice, an over-the-counter option, or by directing you to a GP, NHS 111 or urgent care as appropriate. You will not be turned away without guidance.

Yes. Through the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service our pharmacist can start you on the pill, continue or repeat your current pill, or switch you to a different one — combined or progestogen-only — free, with no GP appointment and no prescription charge for the pill supplied.

Yes, free on the NHS. Emergency contraception works best the sooner it is taken, so please contact us or come in as quickly as possible. The pharmacist assesses your situation privately and, where appropriate, supplies it free — and can also help you start ongoing contraception.

Yes. The free NHS Blood Pressure Check Service is aimed at adults aged 40 and over without a high blood pressure diagnosis, and younger adults on request or with risk factors. If your reading is high we can fit a 24-hour monitor and share results with your GP.

If you cannot get a prescription in time, NHS 111 can direct you to a pharmacy for an emergency supply of a medicine you are already prescribed, after a short assessment. See our Emergency medicine page for the NHS 111 medicines help tool and how it works.