From 31 January 2024 pharmacists across England have been able to supply prescription-only medicines to treat seven common conditions.

The Pharmacy First service takes referrals from general practice into community pharmacies. The pharmacies then provide a minor illness consultation, which may include the supply of a medicine that would otherwise have to be prescribed by a GP. Urgent and Emergency Care settings and 111 can also refer to the service.

Find out how practices and community pharmacies across the region have been successfully using the service in its first year.

Blog – Putting Pharmacy First in the North-East

Andre Yeung, a senior pharmacist based within the North East and Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS) outlines his view of the Pharmacy First service

The Benefits of Pharmacy First at pharmacies in Crook 

Find out how pharmacists and patients are viewing the new Pharmacy First service in a Co. Durham town

The Roxton Practice – using Pharmacy First

Learn how the Immingham, North East Lincolnshire practice used structured training to implement the Pharmacy First service

Treating common conditions via Pharmacy First, Tennant Street Practice, Stockton on Tees 

Find out how the team at Tennant Street Practice, refer between 10 to 20 patients to the Pharmacy First scheme for UTIs, rashes, ear infections and minor skin conditions

Introducing Pharmacy First – Hillside Practice, Skelton 

Learn how the use of the Pharmacy First service at Hillside Practice has improved capacity by enabling simple infections to be treated

Taking off the pressure using Pharmacy First, Albert Road GP Surgery, Jarrow 

How the team at Albert Road GP Surgery are using online systems to refer to Pharmacy First

Building strong relationships between general practice and pharmacy – St Anthony’s Health Centre, Walker, Tyne and Wear 

Learn how the practice team use the Pharmacy First service to manage demand and forge stronger relationships with their neighbouring pharmacy

Optimising Pharmacy First – Whitburn Surgery, Tyne and Wear 

How the team at Whitburn Surgery are making the most of the new service including staff training around referrals.