Help us help you

Thinking of contacting us to book an appointment for earache, impetigo, insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat (tonsillitis) or urinary tract infection (cystitis)? Then your local pharmacist may be able to help you.

Going to your local pharmacy offers an easy and convenient way to get clinical advice on minor health concerns, and now community pharmacies can offer treatment for seven common conditions without patients needing to contact their GP surgery.

Highly trained pharmacists will offer advice, treatment and will update your GP health record for the following conditions:

  • Earache – age 1-17 years
  • Impetigo – age 1 year or over and localised (4 or fewer lesions present).
  • Infected insect bites – age 1 year and over and insect bite did not occur outside of the UK.
  • Shingles – age 18 and over and the rash has appeared in the last 7 days.
  • Sinusitis – age 12 years or over and you have had symptoms for at least 10 days.
  • Sore throat – age 5 years and over.
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women aged 16-64 – without the need for a GP appointment or prescription.

If you are not within these age ranges, a pharmacist can still offer advice.

Community pharmacy teams are highly skilled, qualified health professionals who have the right clinical training to give people the health advice they need. You don’t need an appointment and private consultation rooms are available. Pharmacy teams can also signpost to other relevant local services where necessary.

Don’t wait for minor health concerns to get worse – think pharmacy first and get seen by your local pharmacy team. For more information, visit NHS – How pharmacies can help.

A pharmacist may be able to supply the contraceptive pill if you need to:

  • Start using the contraceptive pill for the first time.
  • Start the contraceptive pill again after a break from taking it.
  • Get a supply of the contraceptive pill if it’s already been prescribed to you.

If the pharmacist gives you the contraceptive pill, they will share this information with your GP if you give permission for them to do so.

Find a pharmacy offering contraceptive pill without prescription: NHS – Find a pharmacy.