All pharmacies in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) are now part of the Pharmacy First scheme. Launched in February under the previous government, the scheme allows your local pharmacist to supply prescription-only medicines, including antibiotics and antivirals where clinically appropriate, to treat seven common health conditions without the need for patients to get a GP appointment or prescription.
The conditions and age groups covered by the scheme, which began earlier this year, are:
- sinusitis (12 years old and over)
- sore throat (5 years old and over);
- earache (age 1-17 years);
- infected insect bites (1 year old and over);
- impetigo (1 year old and over);
- shingles (18 years old and over);
- uncomplicated urinary tract infections (women aged 16-64).
You can get treatment sooner for any of these conditions simply by asking at your local pharmacy.
Richard Fuller MP said:
I am pleased that the Pharmacy First scheme, launched under the previous government, is now in all pharmacies in BLMK, and is using the skills of our pharmacists to treat more people in the community without the need for a GP appointment – speeding up their own care as well as reducing pressure on local GP services.
Alongside expansions to pharmacy-based blood pressure checks and contraception services, Pharmacy First is expected to help free up as many as 10 million general practice team appointments per year.
For more information, see the NHS website: https://www.england.nhs.uk/.../pharmacy.../pharmacy-first/
