More than 100,000 people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have used services offered by community pharmacists since December 2023 which has freed up many GP appointments.
Community pharmacies can now offer a number of different services including free blood pressure checks for those over 40, free contraceptives following a consultation with a pharmacist without the need of a GP appointment and are seeing many patients with minor ailments who have been referred to them from their GP and NHS 111.
The Pharmacy First scheme which launched on 31 January 2024 also offers patients treatment for seven common conditions directly from their local pharmacy, without the need for a GP appointment or prescription. The seven conditions are:
- Sinusitis
- Sore throat
- Earache
- Infected insect bites
- Impetigo
- Shingles
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women aged 16-64
Pharmacy First enables community pharmacists to advise on how to manage a condition and supply prescription-only medicines (without a prescription), including antibiotics and antivirals where clinically appropriate.
Pharmacists are also trained to advise as to whether you need to see a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional if it is something more serious to ensure you get the help you need. They are also trained to provide health and wellbeing advice.
NHS Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are also sixth in the country (out of 42 local NHS systems) as more than 90% of our local pharmacies are now able to offer the contraceptive pill without a prescription.
Neil Hardy, Chief Pharmacist for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight said: “Local community pharmacists are here to help and can provide you with expert advice on how to treat many common health conditions such as sore throats and urinary tract infections. They can also give you advice regarding medications or direct you to the right service if you need further support.”
James Roach, Director of Primary Care for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight said: “Our community pharmacies are a vital first port of call for many ailments and it is great to see so many people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight using this brilliant service. This has also helped to free up more GP appointments for the people that need them.”
Pharmacy first example
In the summer, a woman whose insect bite became infected was able to receive treatment quickly thanks to the Pharmacy First scheme.
Viv O’Connor noticed her insect bite had started to become red and inflamed so the following Monday visited her local pharmacy in Lordshill, Southampton, for some advice. There, the pharmacist was able to confirm that the insect bite had become infected and under the new Pharmacy First scheme was able to prescribe antibiotics to help treat the bite.
Viv said: “The bite had become very painful and swollen and I knew I needed to get it looked at.
“I had heard about the Pharmacy First scheme and knew that it covered infected insect bites, so I went to my local pharmacy at 9am on the Monday morning and was seen by the pharmacist straight away.
“She went through all the details with me and examined the bite and agreed it was infected and wasn’t going to get better on its own.
“She was able to prescribe me antibiotics and was able to start my treatment by 10am that same morning which was such a quick and efficient service.
“Thankfully the bite did start to improve over the next few days and I’m glad it didn’t become anything more serious.”
For these seven health conditions, pharmacists will have a private conversation with a patient to see if they can help them manage their condition through self-care.
If this may not be helping, then in some cases the pharmacist will be able to provide medicines to help treat the illness if appropriate following consultation.
Wahida Warshow, pharmacist at Lordshill Pharmacy, in Southampton, who treated Mrs O’Connor, said: “Viv came in with what looked like an infected insect bite, and I was able to go through the Pharmacy First guidelines and see what the most appropriate treatment for her would be, which in this case was antibiotics.
“This is great for patients as it means they can potentially get seen and treated in a local pharmacy without the need to make an appointment with a GP practice.
“It also frees up GP practice appointments so surgeries can focus on managing patients with more complex health needs.”
As well as community pharmacies, there are a number of other services available across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, these include:
- NHS 111 online – this is a great place to start if you require advice and you will be directed to the right service.
- Urgent Treatment centres – they can help with injuries and illnesses that need urgent medical attention but aren’t life threatening. Waiting times can also be shorter than at Emergency Departments.
- Shout text service (Mental health support service) – text SHOUT to 85258 or visit the Shout website for more information.
- Emergency departments - Emergency Departments (EDs) at hospitals are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for serious and life-threatening conditions. If you or someone you know is experience a medical emergency you should call 999 or visit the nearest Emergency Department.
Further information about the Pharmacy First scheme in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight can be found here: Treatment straight from your pharmacy