Over a million children aged 1 to 17 years across Yorkshire and the Humber are now benefitting from a new pharmacy scheme where they can get treatment for earaches (acute otitis media) without needing to see a GP.

This new offer is part of newly launched Pharmacy First where pharmacists will be able to assess and treat patients for sinusitis, sore throat, infected insect bite, impetigo, shingles, uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women (under the age of 65) – in addition to earaches – without the need for a GP appointment or prescription.

By giving patients the option to see their local pharmacist for conditions they may have previously needed to see a GP for, we are giving more choice in where and how they access care whilst also freeing up millions of GP appointments every year.

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.

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.

Dr Faisel Baig, Medical Director for Primary Care, NHS England North East and Yorkshire said: “I am delighted that over a million children will now have access to easier and more convenient treatment for earaches, without needing a general practice appointment.

“This expansion of NHS services is about ensuring people get their treatment closer to home, while also helping to deliver on our other ambitions, including reducing waiting times”.

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 in England.

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