Quicker Care for Common Ailments: Introducing Pharmacy First
5 November 2025
We're helping to spread the word about Pharmacy First, an excellent NHS service that offers a faster, more convenient way to get help for your child's common minor illnesses—without needing to see a GP!
Community pharmacies across the country now offer clinical advice and, if appropriate, prescription-only medicines for specific conditions right there in the pharmacy. This means less waiting and quicker treatment for your family.
What Can Your Pharmacist Help With?
Trained pharmacists can now assess and treat your children for a range of common issues:
- Earache: Children aged 1 to 17
- Sore Throat: Children aged 5 and over
- Impetigo: Children aged 1 and over
- Infected Insect Bite: Children aged 1 and over
The service also covers other conditions for older children and adults, such as Sinusitis, Shingles, and Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs).
How Pharmacy First Works for Parents:
- Visit your local community pharmacy with your child. You usually don't need an appointment.
- A trained pharmacist will conduct a consultation.
- They will offer expert advice, provide treatment (including prescription-only medicines where necessary and appropriate), or refer your child to a GP if they feel a doctor's input is needed.
- The pharmacist will ensure your child's GP health record is updated after the consultation.
It's quicker, convenient, and helps keep GP appointments free for more serious or complex conditions.
Look out for information about the Pharmacy First service when you are next visiting your local pharmacy!