Patients across the North East and Yorkshire are now able to get treatment for seven common conditions at their high street pharmacy without needing to see a GP, as part of a major transformation in the way the NHS delivers care.

Almost 95% of pharmacies in the region will be offering the ground-breaking initiative, with the health service making it easier and more convenient for people to access care.

Highly trained pharmacists will be able to assess and treat patients for sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bite, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women (under the age of 65) without the need for an appointment or prescription.

The major expansion of pharmacy services will give the public more choice in where and how they access care, aiming to free up 10 million GP appointments a year.

The scheme is part of the NHS and Government’s primary care access recovery plan, which committed to making accessing healthcare easier for millions of people.

It builds on the successful expansion of the pharmacy contraception service in December 2023, with more than 650 pharmacies in the region now offering women the chance to get a supply of oral contraception from their pharmacy without needing to first see their GP.

Dr Faisel Baig, Medical Director for Primary Care, NHS England North East and Yorkshire (pictured), said: “This new service is a great step forward and will make it easier for people to get healthcare advice, support and treatment when they need it, without having to wait for a general practice consultation.

“Community pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals with unique expertise and knowledge who will be able to help and advise members of the public with their healthcare concerns.”

Keith Kendall, Regional Senior Pharmacy Integration Lead, NHS England North East and Yorkshire, said: “If you have symptoms of one of the seven conditions, you can now be referred to your local pharmacy from your GP practice or NHS 111, or you can walk into your local pharmacy at a time that is convenient for you, without making an appointment and be seen by the pharmacist.

“You will be offered a consultation. Should the pharmacy team be unable to help, you will be directed to your GP surgery or other appropriate healthcare setting or A&E as appropriate.”

People can find their local NHS pharmacy at: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy