NHS Community Pharmacy Consultation Service (Pharmacy First): Pharmacy First aims to assist general practice in ensuring that individuals with minor ailments receive support from healthcare professionals other than their primary care providers.
Patients manifesting symptoms of minor ailments will be promptly directed to a community pharmacist. During the consultation, the pharmacist will gather the patient's medical history, inquire about symptoms, and discuss current medications.
Following this assessment, the pharmacist will provide self-care advice and, if appropriate, recommend over-the-counter medications.
In cases where symptoms indicate a more serious condition, the pharmacist will assist the patient in scheduling an urgent appointment with the GP practice or refer them to an Urgent Care Centre as deemed necessary.
A comprehensive record of the outcome will be maintained by the pharmacist, and a secure digital messaging system will be utilized to transmit the report to the GP practice.
Pharmacists play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality healthcare to residents in North East London. Operating within the community, pharmacists leverage their clinical expertise and practical knowledge to ensure the safe dispensing and use of medicines by patients and the general public.
Pharmacists fulfill a range of roles, including dispensing prescriptions and other medications, conducting tests and screenings for common medical conditions, and providing advice on minor illnesses.
Additionally, they offer guidance on sexual health, smoking cessation, and address common problems such as:
- Acne, Spots and Pimples
- Arm, Pain or Swelling
- Blisters
- Cough
- Earache
- Eye, Sticky or Watery
- Failed Contraception
- Headache
- Itch
- Lower Back Pain
- Nasal Congestion
- Scabies
- Sleep Difficulties
- Tattoos, Birthmarks or Moles
- Tiredness (Fatigue)
- Allergic Reaction
- Ankle or Foot Pain or Swelling
- Cold or Flu
- Diarrhoea
- Eye, Painful
- Eye, Visual Loss or Disturbance
- Hair loss
- Hearing Problems or Blocked Ear
- Knee or Lower Leg Pain or Swelling
- Lower Limb Pain or Swelling
- Pain and/or Frequency Passing Urine
- Shoulder Pain
- Sore Throat and Hoarse Voice
- Toe Pain or Swelling
- Vomiting
- Athlete's Foot
- Bites or Stings, Insect or spider
- Constipation
- Ear Discharge or Ear Wax
- Eye, Red or Irritable
- Eyelid Problems
- Head Lice
- Hip, Thigh or Buttock Pain or Swelling
- Limb, cold or color change
- Mouth Ulcers
- Rectal Pain, Swelling, Lump or Itch
- Skin, Rash
- Wrist, Hand or Finger Pain or Swelling
- Wound Problems
Your local pharmacist is also equipped to help you assess whether a visit to a doctor or nurse is necessary.
Importantly, these discussions with pharmacists can be conducted confidentially, even when addressing the most personal symptoms. Many pharmacies now feature private consultation areas where patients can engage with pharmacy staff without concerns of being overheard by other members of the public, and appointments are not required for such consultations.