If you have an everyday health condition, you can use the Pharmacy First service to get advice and treatment from a local pharmacist, without waiting for an appointment to see your GP.
Many community pharmacies have longer opening hours including weekends and holidays, making them more accessible than a GP surgery.
You can call into the pharmacy for a consultation with the pharmacist without needing to make an appointment. You can use Pharmacy First Services for the following:
- everyday health conditions
- emergency hormonal contraception (the morning after pill)
- urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- sore throats (selected pharmacies)
Before going to your GP, it is worth speaking to your pharmacist, who can then advise if you need to see the doctor.
Pharmacists can also give information about other local health services.