Starting February 1st, 2024, NHS England has created a new scheme to help ease the pressure on UK General Practice. It is called “Pharmacy First pathways”, encouraging eligible patients to utilise these services for timely and effective care. “Right patient, Right place, Right time, First time”.
| Clinical pathway | Age range |
|---|---|
| Sore throat | 5 years and over |
| Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) | Women 16-64 years |
| Ear ache/pain (Acute Otitis Media) | 1 to 17 years |
| Infected insect bites | 1 year and over |
| Impetigo | 1 year and over |
| Shingles | 18 years and over |
| Sinusitis | 12 years and over |
The revamped Pharmacy First pathway operates as a walk-in service, but can also be referred into via other services, including:
- NHS 111 (online, telephone, and NHS App)
- Integrated Urgent Care Clinical Assessment Services
- Urgent Treatment Centres
- Emergency Departments
- 999
- General Practice
The enhanced Pharmacy First Service empowers community pharmacists to manage patient care without the need for a General Practice visit. This, coupled with expanded pharmacy services like Blood Pressure checking and Contraception, is projected to save up to 10 million General Practice team appointments annually. Patients can now access quicker and more convenient care, including the supply of appropriate medicines for minor illnesses. Pharmacists are trained to gather medical histories, assess, diagnose, and treat patients. If your symptom or condition is more complex, Pharmacists will guide you to the most appropriate next service (GP, Urgent Treatment Centre, Emergency Department, or 999).
For more information about the service please visit https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/launch-of-nhs-pharmacy-first-advanced-service/
Choose the right service. Thanks St Paul’s Surgery