NHS Pharmacy First Scheme
What is Pharmacy First & What are the benefits?
The Pharmacy First Scheme launched in 2024 and enables patients to be referred into local community pharmacies for a minor illness or an urgent repeat medicine supply. The service gives patients quick and convenient access to safe and high quality healthcare for a range of conditions that patients used to have to see a GP for.
The following 7 conditions can be treated by the pharmacist, across different age ranges ;
- Acute Otitis Media – 1 – 17 years
- Impetigo – 1 year and over
- Infected insect bites – 1 year and over
- Shingles – 18 years and over
- Sinusitis – 12 years and over
- Sore throt – 5 years and over
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infections – Women 16-64 years
How can I refer myself to be seen by Pharmacy First?
You can self refer to a pharmacy if you are a registered patient at Kingston Health Centre, there are a few questions you will need to complete about your health condition to provide the most appropriate service to you
Local pharmacies that we signpost patients too include Ham Parade Pharmacy, Laurels Pharmacy and Kingston Pharmacy.
Can you refer me?
Sometimes patients complete our online form and their symptoms suggest the most appropriate place to be seen is by a local pharmacy. We will then complete a referral on the patients behalf and inform the patient of where their referral has been sent and how to contact the chosen pharmacy.
Emergency Prescriptions via 111
There is a service available via 11 that allows you to request a limited emergency supply of medication if you have completely run out. This must be a medication that you are regularly prescribed, through a repeat prescription. Normal prescription charges still apply for those patients who pay for their prescriptions. The service is not suitable for patients who require antibiotics for a new or recent problem or for controlled drugs that require identification to collect.
111 Emergency Prescription Service
Contraceptive Pill available from the pharmacy
Use the following link to find a local pharmacy that offers the contraceptive pill without the need for a prescription from the GP – Find a pharmacy that offers the contraceptive pill without a prescription.
Who can get the contraceptive pill without a prescription?
You may be able to get the contraceptive pill from a pharmacy if you need to:
- start the contraceptive pill for the first time
- take the contraceptive pill again after a break from using it
If you already have a prescription for the contraceptive pill, you can use the prescription as usual. Or you can get the pill from a pharmacy without a prescription if you prefer.
What to expect when getting the contraceptive pill without a prescription
You’ll speak with a pharmacist in private. They’ll ask about your health and may check your height, weight and blood pressure.
The pharmacist will let you know how to take the pill, and discuss possible side effects. They can refer you to a GP or sexual health clinic if needed.
If the pharmacist gives you the contraceptive pill they will tell your GP, but only if you give permission for them to do so. This information will not be shared with anyone else.
The pharmacist may offer you the:
Free Blood Pressure Checks at the Pharmacy
Use the following link to find a local pharmacy that offers a free blood pressure check without the need to see a GP – Find a Pharmacy that offers blood pressure checks
Who can get a free blood pressure check
You can get a free blood pressure check if you:
- are aged 40 or over
- live in England
You cannot get a free blood pressure check if you:
- already have high blood pressure
- have had your blood pressure checked by a healthcare professional in the past 6 months
