Steve Eyley
Steve Eyley
30 January, 2025
Opinion

Column: Think Pharmacy First as service reaches first anniversary

January 31 marks one year since the launch of Pharmacy First – the service that can provide treatment for seven common health conditions in pharmacies, without needing to see a GP, writes Thamid Khan, superintendent pharmacist at Brinsley Pharmacy.

Guest columnist Thamid Khan from Brinsley Pharmacy.

Pharmacy First was introduced as part of the NHS's drive to improve access to primary care.

It is here to provide convenient access to NHS treatment, if required, whilst also relieving the pressure on GP practice teams.I am proud that we are one of over 200 local community pharmacies in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire providing Pharmacy First services, meaning we are now the first place for people to turn for:earache (aged 1 to 17 years); impetigo (aged one year and over); infected insect bites (aged one year and over); shingles (aged 18 years and over); sinusitis (aged 12 years and over); sore throat (aged five years and over); urinary tract infections or UTIs (women aged 16 to 64 years)

If it’s needed, you can get NHS treatment from a pharmacist through Pharmacy First simply by walking into a participating pharmacy, no appointment is needed, or you may be referredto us by a GP practice.

"I am proud that we are one of over 200 local community pharmacies in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire providing Pharmacy First services".
"I am proud that we are one of over 200 local community pharmacies in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire providing Pharmacy First services". Credit: Submitted

Patients are seen in a private consultation room at the pharmacy or via video link if they access an internet pharmacy.

Once you’ve been assessed, if it’s appropriate, the pharmacistcan provide NHS prescription medicines for these conditions, for free or for a NHSprescription charge, depending upon whether you have a right to free NHS prescriptions.

Alternatively, if we think you need to be seen by a GP or other healthcare service, we can refer you on to get the care that you need.

Here at Brinsley Pharmacy, in addition to Pharmacy First, I am also part of the new NHS independent prescriber initiative.

This is a pilot scheme, only available at a very smallnumber of pharmacies and means I am also able to prescribe NHS medicines for a range of other minor illnesses, including chest infections, oral thrush and ear infections.

You can find out more information about all the services available on our website via brinsleypharmacy.co.uk

We advise you call ahead on 01773 714150 to check which additional services are available and when.More information about Pharmacy First is available at www.notts.icb.nhs.uk/your-services/community-pharmacy

Think Pharmacy First.