Advice and treatment
To support our GP services, the NHS has introduced a new initiative called ‘Pharmacy First.’ For a range of minor illnesses, our clinicians can now refer patients directly to pharmacists, who can help arrange the necessary medication. Patients can also contact their pharmacy directly if they believe they have any of the conditions listed here and fall within the recommended age range.
If you’re unsure whether to contact your surgery or pharmacy, please complete an online request form here. One of our clinicians will review your submission and guide you on the best course of action.
The pharmacist will offer you advice, treatment or refer you to a GP or another
healthcare professional if needed. Pharmacies can also update your GP health record to ensure they are up to date and we can provide continuous care.
Please note on weekends online self-referral may take longer as the practice is closed and will not look at your assessment till we are open, for quicker response please walk into your local pharmacy.
For further information please visit the NHS website page how pharmacies can help.
Minor Illnesses
With Pharmacy First, patients can be offered treatment and some prescription medication for some conditions without the need to see a GP. Below is the list of issues that pharmacists can help with directly. Please note that there are a number of inclusion and exclusion symptoms for each medical problem. If you have an exclusion symptom then please feel in our online form here.
| Medical issue | Description | Age range |
|---|---|---|
| uncomplicated UTI | Unirary tract infection | 16-64 |
| Shingles | Viral skin infection | 18+ |
| Impetigo | Bacterial skin infection | 1+ |
| Infected insect bites | 1+ | |
| Acute sore throat | Tonsillitis/ Pharyngitis | 5+ |
| Acute sinusitis | Nasal pressure/ pain | 12+ |
| Acute otitis media | Children’s ear aches | 1-17 |
Symptoms
Uncomplicated UTI
| Inclusions | Exclusions |
|---|---|
| Females ages 16-64 Symptoms of burning/stinging when urinating Blood in urine Cloudy/smelly pee Urge to urine at night Lower stomach ache Urgent need to urine | Females out younger than 16 or older than 64 Any males Symptoms persisting >5 days if patient has lower back or side of body pain Vaginal discharge High temperature Pregnant Breastfeeding Occurred >1 in lasst 6 months Uses a catheter has one of the following: Diabetes, COPD, Cancer, Kidney issues, Anaemia |
Shingles
| Inclusions | Exclusions |
|---|---|
| 18+ Tingling blisters that turn sore ‘Burning’ pain Itchy red patches has appeared in the last 3-7 days Diagnosed with shinges within 72 hours of rash with any of following: non-truncal involvement moderate to severe pain 50+ Diagnosed with shingles within 7 days of rash with any of following: continued vesicle formation severe pain high risk of shingles 70+ | Under 18 Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy Breastfeeding with blisters on breasts 2+ times in one year Widespread patches of sores on face or body Feeling unwell generally has been around for under 3 or more than 7 days |
Impetigo
| Inclusions | Exclusions |
|---|---|
| 1+ Patchy blisters yellowish and crusty on face, mouth ands elsewhere refer small patches only (2cm or smaller) | Under 1 Pregnant or suspected pregnancy in a patient <16 Breastfeeding with blisters on breasts 2+ times a year Widespread patches of sores on face/body Generally feeling unwell |
Infected insect bites
| Inclusions | Exclusions |
|---|---|
| 1+ Getting progressively worse after 2 days Pain or tendeerness of area painful Hot and swelling Redness spreading on skin around redness of bite Puss discharing | Under 1 Pregnant or suspected pregnancy in a patient <16 Bite or sting near mouth throat or eye Tick bites bite or sting occurred outside UK Very painful feeling generally unwell |
Acute sore throat
| Inclusions | Exclusions |
|---|---|
| 5+ Sore Throat High Temperature/ fever <24 hours Purulent tonsils Severe tonsillar inflammation No cough/ Coryza Headache Nausea Runny nose Attend rapidly (symptom onset < 3 days) | Under 5 Pregnant or suspected pregnancy in a patient <16 Recurring sore throat (7+ times in last year) Difficulty swaqllowing saliva or liquids Tonsils have already been removed History / suspected Scarlet fever Breathing difficulty Feeling generally unwell |
Acute sinusitis
| Inclusions | Exclusions |
|---|---|
| 12+ Nasal blockage Nasal discharge symptoms for over 10 days Facial pressure that is painful Loss of smell (adults only) Cough during day (and night for children) Marked deterioration Fever over 38 degrees Purulent nasal discharge severe localised unilateral pain – particularly toothache or in jaw | Under 12 Pregnant or suspected pregnancy in under 16 Symptoms for under 10 days Chronic sinusitis (over 3 months) Recurrent sinusitis (4+ times a year) If there is a foreign body in the nasal passage Nose bleeding Feeling generally unwell |
Acute otitis media
| Inclusions | Exclusions |
|---|---|
| 1-17 Ear ache (in older children) Tugging on or holding ear (in younger children) non-specifc symptoms (fever, crying, poor feeding, restlessness, behavioural changes, cough ot rhinorrhoea) any of the suspected signs of Acute Otitis media Upon otoscopic examination red, yellow or cloudy tympanic membrane Moderate-sever bulging of tympanic membrane Pain not adequately controlled with regular dosage of (OTC) paracetamol/ ibuprofen | under 1 or over 18 High temperature Severe ear pain symptoms 5+ days Foreign body in ear Grommet fitted Pregnant or suspected pregnancy in patients <16 Recurring infections (3+ in 6 months or 6+ in a year) Child also very unwell Complicated medical conditions such as: Diabetes, heart or lung disease |
Age Ranges
If you are not within the age ranges, a pharmacist can still offer advice, but you may need to see a GP for treatment.
Contraception
You might be able to obtain the contraceptive pill from a pharmacy in the following cases:
- Starting the pill for the first time
- Resuming the pill after a break
If you already have a prescription for the contraceptive pill, you can continue to use it as usual. Alternatively, you can choose to get the pill from a pharmacy without needing a prescription.
Blood Pressure
Pharmacists can also give blood pressure checks to patients provided they meet the eligibility criteria. Please see the inclusions list below to see if a pharmacist can give you one today. Some pharmacies also offer free blood pressure checks. Find your nearest one here.
| Inclusions | Exclsusions |
|---|---|
| 40 or over Live in england | Already have high blood pressure have had your blood pressure checked by a healthcare professional in the past 6 months |