Think pharmacy first
Think pharmacy first
On 31 January 2024 the new Pharmacy First Service launched, enabling community pharmacists to complete episodes of care for patients without the need for a visit to their GP.
The Pharmacy First service includes four conditions that were part of the Midlands Extended Care Service.
More patients can now access treatment at their local pharmacies with over 96% of pharmacies in the Midlands offering the service.
As part of pharmacy first, a patient can self-refer to a pharmacy for the following conditions:
- Urine Tract Infection (UTI in females aged 16 – 64)
- Shingles (18 years and over)
- Impetigo (1 year and over)
- Infected Insect Bites (1 year and over)
- Sinusitis (12 years and over)
- Sore Throat (5 years and over)
- Otitis Media (Middle ear infection – 1 to 17 years)
In addition to the conditions covered by pharmacy first, the Midlands Extended Care Service also enables registered pharmacies to also provide care for patients who present with the following conditions:
- Acute bacterial conjunctivitis (children under 2 years)
- Infected eczema
Extended Care Services
The Community Pharmacy Extended Care Service between NHS England Midlands and community pharmacists allow people to visit a local pharmacy instead of their GP for advice and treatment for a range of minor illnesses.
The three-tier service includes the following the following conditions:
Tier 1
- UTI (females age 16-64 years)
- Acute bacterial conjunctivitis (children under 2 years)
Tier 2 – skin services
- Impetigo
- Infected insect bites
- Infected eczema
Tier 3
- Otitis media – middle ear infection (Children aged 3 months – 16 years)
Treatment
Pharmacists can supply medicines to treat the conditions or recommend over the counter medicines. If you are exempt from paying for prescriptions, you will not pay for prescribed medicines from the pharmacist.
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