Pharmacy First
🆘🤔 Need healthcare advice? Thinking ‘Pharmacy First’ makes it easier to get help.
Skip the morning rush to see a GP by visiting your pharmacy if you suspect you have one of seven minor conditions. 🤒🩹
- Sinusitis.
- Sore throat.
- Earache.
- Infected insect bite.
- Impetigo (a bacterial skin infection)
- Shingles.
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.
Finding your local pharmacy
Find out how pharmacists can help with medicine and medical advice, and find your nearest pharmacy.
CPCS Referrals
What is CPCS?
The Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS) is an NHS-funded service designed to provide you with quick and convenient access to medical advice and treatments for minor illnesses. This service has been running nationally since 2019 and is available from our practice since 2022.
How Does It Work?
When you ring our practice with a minor ailment, our receptionists or care navigators may refer you to a community pharmacy that offers CPCS services. You’ll then receive a secure digital referral to the pharmacy, where a qualified pharmacist will provide you with a personal consultation, either remotely or in person.
Referable Minor Ailments
Skin-Related Issues
- Acne, spots, and pimples
- Athlete’s foot
- Blisters
- Scabies
- Skin, rash
Pain and Musculoskeletal Issues
- Ankle or foot pain or swelling
- Hip, thigh, or buttock pain or swelling
- Knee or lower leg pain
- Lower back pain
- Lower limb pain or swelling
- Shoulder pain
- Wrist, hand, or finger pain or swelling
Respiratory Issues
- Cough
- Cold and ‘flu
- Nasal congestion
- Sinusitis
Gastrointestinal Issues
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
Gynaecological Issues
- Vaginal discharge
- Vaginal itch or soreness
Eye and Ear Issues
- Ear discharge or ear wax
- Earache
- Eye, red or irritable
- Eye, sticky or watery
- Eyelid problems
Miscellaneous
- Allergic reaction
- Bites or stings, insect or spider
- Hair loss
- Headache
- Hearing problems or blocked ear
- Mouth ulcers
- Rectal pain
- Sleep difficulties
- Sore throat
- Teething
- Tiredness
The above list is not an exhaustive list, and to understand further the importance of referring low acuity medical issues via CPCS, refer to this page on the definition of low acuity.