NHS Pharmacy First Service

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The Pharmacy First service is an initiative by NHS England designed to make it easier for patients to access healthcare for minor illnesses and urgent repeat medication without needing to visit a GP. Here are some key points about the service:

• Purpose: Encourages patients to consult with their community pharmacist first for common conditions such as earache, sore throat, and urinary tract infections.
• Clinical Pathways: Pharmacists follow defined clinical pathways to manage seven common conditions, providing advice, self-care tips, and, if appropriate, supplying prescription-only medicines.
• Convenience: Aims to free up GP appointments for patients who need them most and offers quicker, more convenient access to healthcare.
• Referrals: Patients can be referred to the service by GPs, urgent and emergency care settings, NHS 111, or they can access it directly by contacting the pharmacy.
• Support: Pharmacists also provide support for healthy living, such as advice on healthy eating, exercise, smoking cessation, and vaccinations.

Would you like more detailed information on any specific aspect of the Pharmacy First service?

The Pharmacy First service covers seven common minor illness conditions that pharmacists can manage. These conditions are:

1. Sinusitis2. Sore Throat3. Earache (for children aged 1-17 years) 4. Infected Insect Bites5. Impetigo6. Shingles (for adults aged 18 years and over) 7. Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (for women aged 16-64 years)

Pharmacists follow specific clinical pathways to provide advice, self-care tips, and, if appropriate, supply prescription-only medicines for these conditions.

Does this help clarify things for you?