More than 1,058,500 people across the North West have now been supported by community pharmacies under the Pharmacy First service since January 2024 – helping patients manage minor illnesses and access medicines without needing to see a GP or another prescriber (such as out of hours or walk-in centre).

The latest available data, covering the period from January 2024 to May 2025, shows:

• Almost 500,000 consultations delivered through the clinical pathways – for conditions like sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated UTIs (urinary tract infections).
• Almost 272,000 minor illness consultations.
• Over 336,000 urgent medicine supply consultations.
• Over 152,000 patients treated for sore throats, and almost 126,000 for UTIs alone.

As much of the summer fun gets underway with schools breaking up and people taking much needed holidays both at home and abroad, community pharmacies are seeing a seasonal spike in insect bites, sunburn, travel-related illness, and minor injuries linked to barbecues, outdoor sports, and gardening. Children are off school and enjoying time outdoors which can often bring more bumps and grazes than usual.

Karen O’Brien, Regional Chief Pharmacist for NHS England in the North West, said: “The Pharmacy First service has supported more than a million people in just 17 months, and that impact is especially clear during the summer season. With families travelling, schools off, and people spending more time outdoors, it’s vital to have quick and convenient access to care, via the highly qualified health professionals in our community pharmacies.”

“Conditions like sunburn, insect bites, sore throats and minor infections don’t need to take up GP appointments or clog up emergency services – community pharmacies are ideally placed to treat them quickly and professionally.”

Insect bites in particular are on the rise, over 21,000 were treated between May and September 2024, with almost 3,000 in May 2025 alone, marking a 10% increase compared to the same month last year. During the summer months the NHS expects to see and treat over three times as many insect bite treatments compared with winter.

With growing awareness and success of Pharmacy First, health leaders are encouraging more people to choose their local pharmacy for fast, expert help. Over 95% of pharmacies across the North West are now delivering Pharmacy First, and with most people living within a 20-minute walk of a pharmacy, expert care is accessible and convenient.

Sarah Halpin, pharmacist at Alexanders Pharmacy, Waterloo, said: “Community pharmacy has become the first stop for health care in summer and beyond. We’re managing everything from post-holiday infections to minor sports injuries, freeing up GPs and giving patients a quicker, easier route to care.”

“Summer always brings a wave of seasonal conditions, from stings and bites to sunburn and dehydration. Popping into their nearest community pharmacy enables us treat people quickly, without delays, and get them back to enjoying holidays, barbecues or garden work.”

“Our trained staff can handle most issues immediately, in a private consultation room and, if needed, with medicine to take away – it makes a big difference, especially when GP practices can be busier during school holidays.”

To find your nearest pharmacy go to nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy/

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Background

The 7 conditions pharmacists can manage across various age ranges:

• Acute otitis media (1 to 17 years) 
• Impetigo (1 year and over) 
• Infected insect bites (1 year and over) 
• Shingles (18 years and over) 
• Sinusitis (12 years and over) 
• Sore throat (5 years and over) 
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (women 16 to 64 years) 

More information on Pharmacy First can be found here: england.nhs.uk/primary-care/pharmacy/pharmacy-services/pharmacy-first/

For more information, please contact the NHS North West media team – england.nwmedia@nhs.net