NHS pharmacies in the South East begin treating people for common conditions
More than 7 in 10 community pharmacies in the South East (over 1,000 in total) will be offering the ground-breaking initiative, with the health service making it easier and more convenient for people to access care.
Highly trained pharmacists will be able to assess and treat patients for seven conditions without the need for an appointment or prescription:
- Sinusitis
- Sore throat
- Earache
- Infected insect bite
- Impetigo
- Shingles
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women (under the age of 65)
The major expansion of pharmacy services will give the public more choice in where and how they access care, aiming to free up 10 million GP appointments a year nationally.
The scheme is part of the NHS and government’s primary care access recovery plan, which committed to making accessing healthcare easier for millions of people.
It builds on the successful expansion of the contraceptive pill service in December 2023, with almost 5,000 pharmacies in England now offering women the chance to get a supply of oral contraception over the counter from their pharmacy without needing to first see their GP.
The NHS expects almost half a million women a year to receive their contraception from their high street pharmacist.
I am thrilled to be involved in what is a significant leap forward in the evolution of Community Pharmacy within the NHS. The COVID pandemic highlighted our vital role as pharmacists, and now, we are stepping forward to support the NHS and provide essential services to meet the needs of our communities.
As highly trained healthcare professionals, pharmacists can offer much more than just medication supply and contribute extensively to the wellbeing of our communities.”
