The NHS have expanded the existing NHS Urgent Supply and Minor Ailments Scheme to allow Pharmacies to treat seven common ailments without the need to visit your GP.

What conditions are treatable at the Pharmacy?

Please see the table below for details of conditions covered and the eligibility criteria.

Condition

Inclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria

Uncomplicated urinary tract infection
(UTI) in women

16 - 64 years

• Pregnancy
• Urinary catheter
• Recurrent infection
  (twice in 6 months, three times in 12 months)

Shingles

18+ years

• Pregnancy

Impetigo

1+ years

• Pregnant under 16
• Bullous impetigo
• Recurrent infection (twice or more in 12 months)

Infected insect bites

1+ years

• Pregnant under 16

Acute sore throat

5+

• Pregnant under 16

Acute sinusitis

12+ years

• Pregnant under 16
• Immunosuppressed
• Chronic sinusitis (symptoms > 12 weeks)

Acute Otitis Media

1 - 17 years

• Pregnant under 16
• Recurrent infection
  (three times in 6 months, 4 times in 12 months)

Do I need an appointment?

We do not currently require an appointment and we are happy to accommodate walk-in consultations. As this service is brand new and demand may increase, it may become necessary for us to operate an appointments system in future to ensure the smooth running of the pharmacy.

Will I receive antibiotics?

Although antibiotics will be available for the listed conditions, various strict criteria need to be met before they are issued. In many cases, antibiotics will not be the most appropriate treatment.

What does the consultation with the pharmacist involve?

The pharmacist will run through the symptoms you have and for several conditions the pharmacist will perform an examination, for example acute otitis media and sore throat.

Can you treat anybody?

There are age restrictions for each of the conditions and there are also certain groups (pregnancy) who are excluded from some of the ailments. See the table above to see exclusions.

Is the service and any medication free of charge?

The provision of the consultation is an NHS service and is free of charge. If a medication is issued as a result of the consultation and you normally pay a prescription charge, the medicine provided will attract the current prescription fee of £9.35.