Pharmacy First: Get help for minor illness without a GP appointment
The Pharmacy First service started on January 31, 2024. The service enables community pharmacies to provide advice and NHS-funded treatment without a GP appointment, for a minor illness or for urgent repeat medicine supply. The minor illness service includes seven common conditions:
Illness |
Age range |
| Acute otitis media | 1-17 years |
| Impetigo | 1 year + |
| Infected insect bites | 1 year + |
| Shingles | 18 years + |
| Sinusitis | 12 years + |
| Sore throat | 5 years + |
| Uncomplicated urinary tract infections | Women 16-64 years |
GP practices, urgent care centres and NHS 111 are all able to refer patients into the 7 clinical pathways or you can attend the pharmacy directly without the need for referral.
Pharmacies have private consultation rooms and pharmacists can see you without always needing an appointment.
After a consultation with the pharmacist, the pharmacy will send a notification to your GP on the same day or on the following working day.
Every pharmacist trains for 5 years in the use of medicines and managing minor illnesses, so they are well equipped to provide health and wellbeing advice to help people stay well. They are also experienced in spotting warning signs, sometimes known as red flag symptoms, which may warrant a referral to another healthcare provider.
