Next-day appointments available
Book an appointment at one of our branches for next-day service.
About pharmacy first
NHS Pharmacy First is a service provided by the National Health Service (NHS), offering a range of healthcare services through local community pharmacies. Launched to provide quick and convenient access to healthcare advice and treatment, this service aims to alleviate the burden on general practitioners (GPs) and offer timely assistance for common health concerns.
The Service offers free advice and treatment for seven conditions through local participating pharmacies in England. Eligible patients can access free expert advice and treatment without seeing their GP.
Which conditions are included in this service?
The service enables the management of seven common infections by community pharmacists through offering self-care and safety-netting advice and, if appropriate, supplying certain NHS-funded over-the-counter medicines and Prescription Only Medicines (POM) via a Clinical Protocol.
The seven conditions covered under this service are:
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women
Shingles
Impetigo
Infected insect bites
Sinusitis
Sore throat
Acute otitis media (ear infection)
If you believe you are suffering from any of the conditions listed above, complete the quick patient eligibility screening questionnaire, and if you are eligible for the service, you can book an appointment in one of our branches.
How can I access the service?
This service is accessible via the referral routes listed below:
By presenting directly at or contacting the community pharmacy.
Referred by NHS 111 telephony.
Referred by NHS 111 online.
Referred by an integrated urgent care clinical assessment service
Referred by 999 services.
Referred by general practice.
Referred by other urgent and emergency care providers
Available service options
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, email our customer care team or chat with us.
-
Free
This service is for children aged 1 to 17 who present with signs and symptoms of an ear infection. Acute otitis media mainly affects children and can last for around one week.
-
Free
This service is for non-bullous impetigo, for adults and children aged one year and over. Our pharmacist will confirm the diagnosis of impetigo through visual examination during your appointment.
-
Free
This service is for adults and children aged one year and over who present with signs and symptoms of infected insect bites. Most insect bites and stings will get better within a few hours or days and do not need treatment with antibiotics.
-
Free
This service is for adults aged 18 years and over who present with signs and symptoms of shingles. Our pharmacist will diagnose shingles during your appointment based on typical clinical features.
-
Free
This service is for adults and children aged 12 years and over who present with signs and symptoms of sinusitis. A virus usually causes acute sinusitis and is only complicated by bacterial infection in about 2 in 100 cases.
Prefer to book this service over the phone?
Call us on 0113 322 9984
What to expect at the appointment
The appointment will last roughly 30 minutes.
The pharmacist will conduct a consultation and ask questions to confirm the diagnosis of the condition you have presented with.
The pharmacist will confirm your allergy status and identify any concurrent medication or medical conditions that may affect your treatment.
The pharmacist will make a clinical decision as to whether a supply of an NHS medicine under the appropriate clinical pathway is appropriate.
The outcome of the consultation may include:
Self-care advice to the patient.
Self-care advice and the sale of an OTC medicine.
Any of the clinical pathway outcomes for the seven common conditions, including:
A supply of medicine in line with the clinical pathway.
No supply of medicine as it is not clinically appropriate.
Referral to a separately commissioned pharmacy service delivered in the pharmacy.
Referral to the patient’s GP or relevant out-of-hours service for an urgent appointment.
Routine referral to other appropriate services (including other health professionals).
What our customers think
5 out of 5 stars
Vaccinations all given professionally plus lots of useful medical advice given for our holiday.
Andy Boothroyd
5 out of 5 stars
Offered me a blood pressure check which I happily accepted. Attended on the same day. Asked if it were possible to pay for a flu jab (I’m not eligible yet) and got that at the same time! Excellent!! Very polite and helpful.
Penny Speers
5 out of 5 stars
Professional and conscientious staff. Mehwish did a great job syringing my ears, thanks 😊
Thomas Francos
5 out of 5 stars
I booked the ear syringing service at Midway Pharmacy in Morley through the online booking system. Really friendly and professional service from Sharon. I’m really grateful to be able to hear properly again. The treatment only took a few minutes and Sharon is clearly really well trained at what she does. Thank you again.
Paul Mcgrath
Frequently asked questions
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, email our customer care team or chat with us.
-
-
Are next-day appointments available?
Yes, you can get next-day appointments at all our branches. Contact our customer care team if you cannot find an available slot.
-
Where is this service available?
This service is available in our branches, which are commutable from anywhere in Yorkshire, including Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, York, Huddersfield, Sheffield, Barnsley, Hull, Doncaster, Ripon, Harrogate, Dewsbury, Keighley and Scarborough.
-
Can I get prescription medications through NHS Pharmacy First?
Yes, you can receive medications without a prescription directly from the pharmacist for certain conditions. This eliminates the need to visit a GP for common ailments.
-
-
-
How does NHS Pharmacy First contribute to relieving GP pressures?
By providing a convenient alternative for non-urgent health concerns, NHS Pharmacy First helps reduce the burden on general practitioners, allowing them to focus on more complex cases and emergencies.
-
Is there a cost associated with NHS Pharmacy First services?
The service itself is free. However, standard charges may apply if you require over-the-counter or any prescribed medications, depending on your exemption status.
-
Can I use NHS Pharmacy First for ongoing or chronic health conditions?
While the service primarily addresses minor health concerns, pharmacists can offer advice and support for managing long-term conditions. For new or worsening symptoms, it's advisable to consult your GP.
-
-
-
Is NHS Pharmacy First available at all pharmacies?
Most community pharmacies participate in NHS Pharmacy First, but checking with your local pharmacy to confirm their participation and operating hours is recommended. This service is available at all Midway Pharmacy branches.
-
How does NHS Pharmacy First integrate with other NHS services?
NHS Pharmacy First collaborates with other services to provide integrated and holistic healthcare. Your pharmacist can offer guidance and, if necessary, refer you to other healthcare professionals.
-
Can I use NHS Pharmacy First for my child's health concerns?
Yes, the service is available for individuals of all ages, including children. Pharmacists are trained to provide age-appropriate advice and treatments for minor ailments in children.
-
Next-day appointments are available at our branches.