NHS Pharmacy First Service in Worksop

Pharmacy First is an NHS service that lets community pharmacies in England assess and, where appropriate, treat seven common conditions without you needing to see a GP first. Our pharmacists are trained to assess your symptoms, give clear advice, and supply NHS prescription medicines including certain antibiotics when they are clinically needed.

The service was introduced to give patients faster access to treatment for everyday illnesses, while easing pressure on GP surgeries. It runs alongside the NHS Minor Ailments and self-care advice we have always offered. The full service is free at the point of use, just like a GP appointment, and you do not need to be registered at a particular GP practice to use it with us in Worksop.

Pharmacy First covers seven specific conditions, each with its own age range and clinical criteria set by the NHS. Our pharmacist will check that your symptoms fit before starting an assessment.

You can walk in or book ahead. Either way, the consultation takes place in our private room with a qualified pharmacist. We will ask about your symptoms, how long they have lasted, your medical history, any allergies and any medication you take. For some conditions, we may also do simple checks such as looking in your ear or examining your throat or skin.

If your symptoms fit the NHS clinical pathway and treatment is needed, we will supply the appropriate medicine straight away, with full instructions on how to take it. If self-care is the right option, we will explain what to do at home and what symptoms should prompt you to come back. Where the condition is more serious or does not fit the service, we will refer you to your GP, NHS 111 or A&E as appropriate.

Pharmacy First is designed for new symptoms of common conditions, not for ongoing health problems or emergencies. There are some situations where our pharmacist will not be able to treat you under the service and will instead refer you on. None of these mean you cannot be helped, just that a different route is safer.

Please tell us in advance about any allergies, current medication, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and any long-term health conditions. This helps us give you the right advice and the right medicine on the day.

If you have been given a medicine, please follow the instructions exactly, including finishing any course of antibiotics even if you start to feel better. Most people improve within a few days. Drink plenty of fluids, rest where you can, and use simple over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol if needed and suitable for you.

If your symptoms get worse, do not improve within the timeframe we discuss with you, or you develop new symptoms such as a high fever, severe pain, a spreading rash, confusion or breathlessness, please contact your GP or NHS 111 promptly. For symptoms such as severe chest pain, a stiff neck with a rash, or difficulty breathing, call 999 straight away.