The Pharmacy First service builds on the NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service which has run since October 2019. The consultation service enables patients to be referred into community pharmacy for a minor illness or an urgent repeat medicine supply.

The Pharmacy First service, launched 31 January 2024, adds to the existing consultation service and enables community pharmacies to complete episodes of care for 7 common conditions following defined clinical pathways.

The following table shows the 7 conditions pharmacists can manage across various age ranges.

* Distance selling pharmacies will not complete consultations for acute otitis media.

Updating patient records

As part of the commitment to roll-out Pharmacy First services, NHS England has funded improvements to the digital infrastructure between general practice and community pharmacy.

Community pharmacy IT systems can now automatically send details of a community pharmacy consultation to the GP clinical IT system, ready for a GP to check and update the patient’s record. This will remove the current need for staff to transcribe information from emails. GP clinical IT system suppliers are offering this functionality to practices.

Further information on the Pharmacy First service can be found below:

• NHS England » Pharmacy First
• Communication resources are available on the Campaign Resource centre Pharmacy assets | Help Us Help You – Primary Care Services | Campaign Resource Centre (dhsc.gov.uk)
• Pharmacy First: Information for GPs
• Pharmacy First service – Community Pharmacy England
• Get help with seven common conditions from your local pharmacy

Benefits for patients

• faster access to care – patients can receive treatment for common conditions directly from their local pharmacy without needing to see a GP first. This includes things like ear infections, sore throats, UTIs, and more
• convenience – Pharmacies typically offer longer opening hours than GP surgeries, including evenings and weekends, making it easier for patients to get help at a time that suits them
• reduced pressure on GP services by managing minor illnesses in pharmacies, GP appointments are freed up for patients with more complex needs — leading to shorter wait times overall
• expert advice from pharmacists as pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals who can provide safe, effective care and advice, including prescribing certain medications
• improved access in underserved areas with limited GP access, Pharmacy First ensures patients still have a route to timely clinical care
• patients eligible under the scheme receive consultations and treatments at no cost, reducing financial barriers to care

Benefits for practice

• reduced Workload for GPs by redirecting minor illnesses and common conditions to pharmacies, GPs can focus on patients with more complex or chronic needs, reducing unnecessary appointments
• improved appointment availability with fewer minor ailment consultations, practices can offer more timely appointments for those who need them most, improving patient satisfaction and access metrics
• better use of skill mix as the Pharmacy First programme supports integrated care by allowing practices to use the full range of skills within the primary care workforce, including pharmacists, more effectively
• supports PCN objectives as the scheme aligns with Primary Care Network (PCN) goals to work collaboratively across practices and providers, helping meet targets for access, integration, and prevention
• enhances patient flow and efficiency as fewer low-acuity patients in the appointment system can streamline practice operations, reduce triage time, and ease pressure on reception and admin staff

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