NHS Pharmacy First Service

Did you know that the NHS Pharmacy First Service enables children and adults to get convenient access to healthcare advice and treatment where appropriate, for seven common conditions without the potential delay of having to wait for a GP appointment? Accessing the service may mean that we can help children feel better and get back to school as quickly as possible, as well as supporting parents/carers to also get better if they are unwell with one of the conditions covered under the service.

There is no need to make an appointment; parents or carers can pop into their local Boots pharmacy with their child and ask for help under the service.

Support for the following conditions can be accessed under the service, free of charge (unless NHS prescription charges apply):

Common condition	Patient eligibility
Earache	1 to 17 years
Impetigo	1 year and over
Infected insect bites and stings	1 year and over
Sore throats	5 years and over
Sinusitis	12 years and over
Uncomplicated urinary tract	Women 16 to 64 years
Shingles	18 years and over

A summary of the service is available as an animation and more information can also be found at:

Think Pharmacy First

as well as at:

Boots Pharmacy First

Community Pharmacy England, who represent community pharmacy owners in England, have created a suite of resources for use by schools; you can use any that would suit your methods of communication with parents/carers to raise awareness of this important service. Resources include:

ü  Downloadable posters which can be displayed in reception/waiting areas or staff rooms.

ü  Downloadable flyers which could be included in school bags or left in reception/waiting area.

ü  Digital screen options which could be played if you have a digital screen in your reception/waiting area.

ü  Template news stories that could be included on your school website or in newsletters; and

ü  Template letter to email out to parents/carers highlighting the Pharmacy First service.

All these resources are available at:

Information on national pharmacies