Pharmacy First: 7 Conditions You Can Get Treated Without a GP Appointment
Quick answer
Under the NHS Pharmacy First service, pharmacists in England can assess and treat seven common conditions without a GP appointment: sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women. If you need a prescription-only medicine, such as antibiotics, the pharmacist can supply it on the NHS.
Pharmacy First lets you get treatment for common problems quickly, without waiting for a GP appointment. Here’s what it covers, who can use it and what happens when you come in.
The 7 conditions
| Condition | Who can be treated |
|---|---|
| Sinusitis | Age 12 and over |
| Sore throat | Age 5 and over |
| Earache | Age 1 to 17 |
| Infected insect bite | Age 1 and over |
| Impetigo | Age 1 and over |
| Shingles | Age 18 and over |
| Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) | Women aged 16 to 64 |
Book a Pharmacy First appointment at Summersdale Pharmacy, or just walk in:
How it works
- Walk in, or book a time online. Your GP surgery or NHS 111 can also refer you to us.
- Our pharmacist will talk to you in a private consultation room, ask about your symptoms and may examine you.
- You’ll get advice, and treatment if you need it. That might be a medicine you can buy, or a prescription-only medicine supplied on the NHS.
- If you need to see a GP or another service, we’ll tell you and help arrange it.
Does it cost anything?
The consultation is free. If you’re given a prescription-only medicine, you pay the standard NHS prescription charge, unless you normally get free prescriptions.
Other ways we can help
For other minor illnesses, such as colds, coughs or skin rashes, our pharmacists can give advice and recommend treatment, with no appointment needed. If you run out of a regular medicine when your GP surgery is closed, NHS 111 can refer you to a pharmacy for an urgent supply.
When to get help elsewhere
If you feel very unwell or your symptoms are getting worse quickly, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.
Pharmacy First at Summersdale Pharmacy
We’re on Lavant Road in Summersdale, Chichester, and open Mon–Fri 9am–6pm. Pop in, book online using the buttons above, or call us on 01243 380185. Find out more about our free NHS services.