People in South Ealing, Ealing, Acton, Hanwell, Brentford and across West London can now use Pharmacy First for several common conditions. The service offers timely advice from a clinical pharmacist.

Pharmacists are trained health professionals who can assess symptoms, recommend self care and supply medicines. If something more serious is suspected, they can refer you to a GP or urgent service. Pharmacy First brings this support closer to home. 

What Is the Pharmacy First Service?

Pharmacy First is an NHS service that allows community pharmacies to assess and treat seven common conditions using agreed clinical pathways. Patients can receive advice and, when suitable, prescription only medicines without needing a GP appointment. 

It is available to people registered with a GP practice in England. The scheme supports GP surgeries by directing suitable minor illnesses to pharmacists and helps free appointments for patients with more complex needs. 

Pharmacists work alongside local GPs, NHS 111 and urgent care teams. With your consent, they can update your GP record after the consultation so your usual doctor knows what treatment you received. 

Which Conditions Are Covered by Pharmacy First?

Pharmacy First covers seven specific conditions, each with set age ranges and national clinical guidance. These are sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infection in women. 

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is inflammation of the small air filled spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead. Symptoms often include blocked nose, facial pain or pressure and headache.

Under Pharmacy First, pharmacists can manage sinusitis from age twelve years and over. They will check how long symptoms have lasted and decide whether self care, pharmacy medicine or prescription treatment is suitable.

Sore Throat

A sore throat usually results from a viral infection affecting the throat and tonsils. Symptoms include pain when swallowing, dry or scratchy throat, mild fever and swollen glands.

Pharmacy First can support patients aged five years and over with sore throat. The pharmacist will rule out serious illness and offer advice, pain relief and, when appropriate, prescription treatment. 

Earache

Earache can be caused by middle ear infection, outer ear infection, wax build up or irritation after a cold. Children are particularly affected.

Under Pharmacy First, pharmacists can assess earache in patients aged one to seventeen years. They can examine the ears, ask about fever and hearing changes and decide whether treatment in the pharmacy is safe. 

Infected Insect Bites

Insect bites sometimes become infected when bacteria enter broken skin. Signs include spreading redness, warmth, swelling and increasing discomfort around the bite area.

Through Pharmacy First, infected insect bites can be managed from age one year and over. Pharmacists can advise on cleaning and antihistamines and can supply prescription treatment when needed. nhs.uk+1

Impetigo

Impetigo is a contagious bacterial skin infection. It often appears as small blisters or patches that burst and form golden crusts, especially around the nose and mouth.

Pharmacists can treat impetigo from age one year and over using Pharmacy First. They will explain how to reduce spread, including regular handwashing, separate towels and staying away from nursery, school or work where advised. 

Shingles

Shingles is caused by reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox. It usually presents with tingling or burning in one area, followed by a line of blisters on one side of the body.

Pharmacy First can treat shingles in adults aged eighteen years and over. Early antiviral treatment can reduce pain and lower the chance of complications, so contact the pharmacy promptly if you notice symptoms. 

Urinary Tract Infection in Women

Uncomplicated urinary tract infection in women often causes burning when passing urine, needing to pass urine more often and discomfort in the lower tummy.

Pharmacists can treat uncomplicated urinary tract infection in women aged sixteen to sixty four years through Pharmacy First. They will check symptoms and medical history and decide whether antibiotics are suitable. 

What to Expect From a Pharmacy First Consultation

Step 1: Speaking to the Pharmacist

You can contact South Ealing Pharmacy by phone, visit in person or book online for a Pharmacy First consultation. A member of the team will arrange for you to speak with the pharmacist in a private consultation room.

Step 2: Clinical Assessment

The pharmacist will ask about your symptoms, medicines, allergies and other health conditions. They may check your temperature, pulse or blood pressure or examine areas such as the ears, throat or skin.

Step 3: Treatment and Advice

After the assessment, the pharmacist will explain the recommended plan. This may include self care advice, pharmacy medicine or prescription only treatment supplied under NHS Pharmacy First pathways.

If necessary, the pharmacist will advise you to contact your GP, NHS 111 or an urgent treatment centre. With your consent, they can update your GP record so your usual doctor knows what has been done. 

Do I Still Need to See My GP?

Pharmacy First is suitable for mild or moderate symptoms that fit the listed conditions. It can be a good choice when you feel unwell but stable and need timely advice close to home.

If symptoms are severe, ongoing, keep returning or you are pregnant, very frail or caring for a young baby, you should see a GP or urgent service. Pharmacists will advise you if another service is safer. 

Benefits of Using Pharmacy First

Pharmacy First offers faster access to clinical advice for people in South Ealing, Ealing, Acton, Hanwell, Brentford and West London. Many pharmacies open into the evening and at weekends, which can make it easier to get help around work and family life. 

Using Pharmacy First for suitable conditions also supports GP practices and urgent care by reducing demand for appointments, while still giving safe, evidence based care from pharmacists who are experts in medicines and minor illnesses. 

Who Can Use Pharmacy First?

Pharmacy First is available to people registered with a GP practice in England whose symptoms match one of the seven covered conditions and fall within the relevant age ranges. Bringing a simple list of regular medicines and allergies, plus your NHS number if known, can help. 

Is There a Cost?

The Pharmacy First consultation is funded by the NHS. If you need a prescription only medicine and usually pay for prescriptions, the standard NHS prescription charge applies. People who are exempt do not pay for their medicine. 

How to Prepare for Your Pharmacy First Appointment

Before you attend, note your main symptoms, when they started and what affects them. Bring a list or clear photos of your regular medicines and any inhalers, eye drops, creams or supplements, and record any allergies or previous bad reactions to medicines.

FAQs About Pharmacy First

People often ask whether an appointment is needed, whether children can attend, whether their GP will be told and what to do if symptoms do not improve. In most cases you can walk in or phone ahead, bring an eligible child, and agree for the pharmacist to update your GP record. 

If symptoms do not improve, worsen or new problems appear after a Pharmacy First consultation, you should contact the pharmacy, your GP, NHS 111 or urgent care for further advice.

When to Seek Urgent Help

Call 999 or attend A and E immediately if you have chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, sudden confusion, severe headache with stiff neck or a rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass.

Seek same day urgent care from NHS 111 or an urgent treatment centre if pain is severe and getting worse, you feel very unwell or you have symptoms that worry you.

Summary: Getting the Right Care, at the Right Time

Pharmacy First makes it easier for people in South Ealing, Ealing, Acton, Hanwell, Brentford and West London to access timely care for seven common conditions.

South Ealing Pharmacy can assess, treat and, when needed, refer you for these minor illnesses. If you think you have one of the Pharmacy First conditions, book online, visit the pharmacy in person or call for advice from the team. ✅