Think Pharmacy First
Community pharmacies can offer treatment for seven common conditions without patients needing to see a GP, as part of a major transformation in the way the NHS delivers care.
Highly trained pharmacists at more than nine in ten pharmacies can now assess and treat patients for :-
- earache in those between 1 and 17 years old
- impetigo
- infected insect bites
- shingles in those over 18 years old
- sinusitis in those aged 12 years and over
- sore throat in those aged 5 years and over
- urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women aged 16-64
without the need for a GP appointment
Available on the high-street, community pharmacy teams have the right clinical training to give people the health advice they need, with no appointment necessary and private consultations available. Community pharmacists will signpost patients to other local services where necessary.
By expanding the services community pharmacies offer, the NHS is aiming to help free up GP appointments and give people more choice in how and where they access care.
Don’t wait for minor health concerns to get worse – think pharmacy first and get seen by your local pharmacyteam.
For more information, visit nhs.uk/thinkpharmacyfirst
