Pharmacy first

What is the Pharmacy First service?

Your local Pharmacy can offer health care advice and treatment for you and your family for many minor health conditions, at a time that suits you. Under our Pharmacy First service the Pharmacist can provide advice and treatment for certain conditions which you normally might want to discuss with your GP.

How does it work?

You don’t have to make an appointment; it will save you time as you won’t need to visit your GP to obtain a prescription. Visit your local Pharmacy and ask at the counter if the Pharmacy First service is available. Consultations are always free, you will be given advice and if necessary medicine(s) will be supplied to treat your symptoms. If you don’t pay for prescriptions from your doctor then any medicine supplied to you from the pharmacy will also be free of charge. If you normally pay for your prescriptions, then the standard prescription fee will be charged. However in many cases the medicines supplied will be cheaper to buy over the counter. The pharmacy will advise you of this.

How do I register?

• You can register for the service at a pharmacy of your choice.
• Your pharmacy will ask you for some details - your name, date of birth, GP practice and postcode. The pharmacy will also check whether you pay for your prescriptions.
• If you don’t pay for your prescriptions you will be asked for proof of exemption, for example your maternity or medical exemption certificate or HC2 certificate.
• Once registered you can visit any pharmacy in West Cheshire. You will need to register onto the scheme the first time you use it.

What does the service offer?

There are two levels of service. 

Level 1 Core Service:

• Should be available at all times the pharmacy is open
• Patients receive a consultation, advice and supply of medicine(s) if appropriate for the following conditions:
• Cold and flu
• Diarrhoea and vomiting
• Fever
• Management of head lice
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Worms
• Acne (Mild to Moderate) (Aged 12 years and over)
• Athlete’s foot (Aged 12 years and over)
• Constipation (Aged 7 years and over)
• Eczema / dermatitis (mild)
• Hay fever
• Indigestion / dyspepsia (aged 18 and over)
• Pain (aged 3 months and older)
• Piles (aged 18 years and older)
• Warts / verrucas (aged 5 years and older)

Level 2 service:

• Prescription only medicines offered by a limited number of pharmacies
• Patients receive a consultation, advice and a supply of medicine for the following conditions:
• Cystitis in women (Aged 18-65)
• Conjunctivitis
• Thrush in infants
• Hay Fever
• Impetigo (Aged 1 years and over)
• Vaginal Thrush (Aged 16 to 60 years)

Click here to view or download a list of pharmacies providing the service as well as the level of service they offer. If your pharmacist feels that it is better for you to see your GP or feels that you need a medicine that is not available under the service then they may refer you directly or advise you to make an appointment with your GP.

Click here to view or download the information leaflet.