Private Community Services (including pharmacies and opticians)

Pharmacy

Some links on this page have been colour coded to make it easier to find the information you need:

Quick Read
In-depth
Clinical level

Your local pharmacy supports patients and the NHS

The range of support from your local pharmacist is wide and increasing

From the NHS
How local pharmacies can help – NHS

seven common infections now treated by your local pharmacist

From Staywell BOB
“Highly trained pharmacists are able to assess and treat patients for sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bite, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women (under the age of 65) without the need for an appointment or prescription.” Includes link to all local pharmacists offering this service.

The BBC explain this national pharmacy service in more detail 

Contraception and blood pressure checks

From the NHS

From Staywell BOB

For information on blood pressure see under

  • NHS health check – see section frequently asked questions “how can you check what your blood pressure means”

How your local pharmacist can support you with over the counter medication

GP practices will generally not prescribe over the counter (OTC) medication which you can buy from your local pharmacist even if you qualify for free prescriptions. There are some situations where you can get OTC children’s medicines for free from your pharmacist. This is further explained below:

Your local pharmacist can prescribe over the counter medication

As the NHS explains
“Before these changes in 2018, the NHS spent around £569 million a year on prescriptions for medicines that can be bought from a pharmacy. By reducing the amount it spends on OTC medicines, the NHS can give priority to treatments for people with more serious conditions, such as cancer, diabetes and mental health problems.”
“Why can’t I get a prescription for an over the counter medicine?” The NHS website. Retrieved 11th November 2022

All of this is explained in much more detail in the article from NHS England 1a-over-the-counter-leaflet-print-ready.pdf and the NHS website Why can’t I get a prescription for an over the counter medicine? – NHS

How you can get otc children’s medicines free from your local pharmacist for some conditions

As the NHS suggests
“You can get treatment for some common conditions, such as sore throat and earache, from a pharmacy without needing a GP appointment. The pharmacist will be able to recommend the best treatment for your child and prescribe medicine if they need it. You will not pay a prescription charge for children under 16.“
Medicines for babies and children – NHS

FIND YOUR LOCAL PHARMACIST

From the NHS
Find your local pharmacist Find a pharmacy – NHS

To find a pharmacist open out of hours (e.g. at the weekend) or on a bank holiday, all you need to do is use the NHS search function above and filter results to show only “services open now”

Support managing your medication - Your local pharmacy self referral

Your local pharmacist can advise you about any of your medication, but also there are some specific services which are worth knowing about.

You can get advice and support with new medication from a pharmacist for a number of long term conditions with the “New Medicines Service”. Electronic repeat dispensing (ERD) is becoming increasingly popular with many patients as it can save you time whether you have online access or not. You can in certain cases get an emergency supply of your normally prescribed medication. All of these services and further medication related information are explained below:

EMERGENCY SUPPLY OF YOUR USUAL MEDICINES (INCLUDING OUT OF HOURS)

From the NHS
If you have run out of prescribed medicine and need some urgently, there are a few ways to get an emergency supply, including from a local pharmacy.
Where can I get an emergency supply of medicine? Where can I get an emergency supply of medicine? – NHS

NEW MEDICine PHARMACY SERVICE

As the NHS suggests
You can get advice and support with new medication from a pharmacist for a number of long term conditions ( type 2 diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and much more). See NHS article for full list.
New Medicine Service (NMS) – NHS

WHAT IS ELECTRONIC REPEAT DISPENSING?

From NHS Business Service Authority
eRD information for patients eRD information for patients | NHSBSA

From the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee
Repeat Dispensing/electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD) Repeat Dispensing/electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD) : PSNC Main site

From NHS Digital
Intended for GP practices but covers the advantages of repeat dispensing for patients
Electronic repeat dispensing for prescribers Electronic repeat dispensing for prescribers – NHS Digital

From NHS Business Service Authority
Mainly intended for GP practices but some useful information
Electronic repeat dispensing (eRD) Electronic repeat dispensing (eRD) | NHSBSA

WHO IS SUITABLE FOR ELECTRONIC REPEAT DISPENSING?

As NHS England suggest
Any patient suitable for a repeat prescription could be suitable for electronic repeat dispensing. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Patients on stable therapy
  • Patients with long term conditions
  • Patients on multiple therapy e.g., hypertension, diabetes, asthma etc.
  • Patients that can appropriately self-manage seasonal conditions
    electronic-repeat-dispensing-guidance.pdf

A key word is “stable” therapy meaning if you have just been started on medication or if your medication is changing over time then you are likely not suitable until your medication is stable and is unlikely to change.

Cost of medication

Information on free prescriptions and also how you may be able to reduce the cost of medication with a prescription prepayment certificate can be found in the subsection “Cost of your medication”, see under

ESSENTIAL FIRST AID AND MEDICINES KIT for home

From the NHS
Medicines for babies and children Medicines for babies and children – NHS

From the NHS
What should I keep in my first aid kit? What should I keep in my first aid kit? – NHS

From the British Red Cross
“No first aid kit? No problem! You may not always have access to a first aid kit in an emergency. Here are some suggestions for other everyday items you can use.” Options for first aid if no first aid kit is available.

From Patient info

Further information on first aid

There is more information on first aid under

Medication reference guides

You can find information on any medication can be found in the subsection “Understanding your medication”, see under

Support managing common conditions - Your local pharmacy self referral

Many patients now attend their local pharmacy first rather than consider going to their GP practice for a large number of common conditions. They have immediate access to the expertise of their local pharmacist and also they know that their pharmacist can advise them, as may occasionally be required, if they should need to attend their GP practice.

Below in the linked articles, particularly from the NHS and Patient info, you can find out how your local pharmacist can help you with many common conditions:

emergency contraception

For emergency contraception see “emergency contraception” in subsection “local support – self referral” under

Minor burns, sprains, cuts and bites

From the NHS and Patient info
sprains and strain

Insect bites and stings

Burns and scalds

From the NHS
Cuts and grazes Cuts and grazes – NHS

Further information

There is detailed information on many more urgent conditions which can be treated by your local pharmacy or with self-care under

Sore throat, colds, coughs and sinusitis (often self limiting)

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Common Cold

Sore throat

Sinusitis

Cough

Conjunctivitis, styes and cold sores (often self limiting)

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Conjunctivitis

Stye

Cold Sores

Mild cystitis in non-pregnant women

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Cystitis

Ring worm and athletes foot (fungus)

From the NHS

Head lice and threadworms (parasites)

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Head lice and nits

Threadworms

Further information

There is detailed information on many more infections which can be treated by your local pharmacy or with self-care under

dermatitis, mild acne and nappy rash

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Eczema

Acne

Nappy Rash

Excess sweating

From the NHS and Patient info
Excessive sweating

Ring worm and athletes foot (fungus)

From the NHS

hand and feet conditions

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Warts and verrucas

From the NHS and Patient info
Fungal nail infection

hair: dandruff, cradle cap and head lice

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Head lice and nits

From the NHS and patient info
Dandruff

Cradle cap

Insect bites

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Insect bites and stings

Further information

There is detailed information on many more skin conditions which can be treated by your local pharmacy or with self-care under

Muscular and joint conditions

Pain, sprains and back pain

From Patient info
Painkillers Painkillers | What are they and how do they work? | Patient

From the NHS and Patient info
sprains and strain

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Back pain

Further information

There is detailed information on many more muscular and joint conditions which can be treated by your local pharmacy or with self-care under

eye Conditions often just requiring self care or support from your pharmacist

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Stye

Infective Conjunctivitis

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Dry eyes

Watering eyes

Ear wax

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Ear wax build up

Drops to remove wax from your ears can be effective.

Note many GP practices do not now remove ear wax, as it is outside NHS commissioned services. Check with your practice if they still do so. There are a number of private providers including local opticians who now provide this service.

Further information

There is detailed information on many more eye conditions which can be treated by your local pharmacy or with self-care under

hay fever

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Hay fever and Allergic Conjunctivitis

INDIGESTION

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Indigestion

CONSTIPATION in adults

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Constipation

Laxatives

Constipation in children

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Constipation

colic in babies

From Patient info and NICE
Colic

Diarrhoea in adults

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea in children

From the NHS and Patient info
Diarrhoea

PILES (HAEMORRHOIDS)

From the NHS
Anal pain Anal pain – NHS 

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Piles (haemorrhoids)

PAIN

From Patient info
Painkillers Painkillers | What are they and how do they work? | Patient

Further information

There is detailed information on many more conditions which can be treated by your local pharmacy or with self-care under

oral thrush and mouth ulcers

Oral thrush and mouth ulcers can often be treated by your local pharmacist. The articles below explain when you might need to see a dentist or GP.

From the NHS
A local pharmacist can treat oral thrush for any adult or child over 4 months
Oral thrush Oral thrush (mouth thrush) – NHS

If mouth ulcers are present less than 3 weeks they can be treated by your local pharmacist.

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Mouth ulcers

teething

From the NHS, Patient info and NICE
Teething

toothache and pain

Always see your dentist if you have persistent pain from your teeth but your pharmacist can help with mild pain.

From the NHS and Patient info
Toothache

From Patient info
Painkillers Painkillers | What are they and how do they work? | Patient

Cold sores

From the NHS and Patient info
Cold Sores

Further information

There is detailed information on dental and oral conditions under

Long term conditions – NEW MEDICINE SERVICE (NMS)

From the NHS
You can get advice and support with a new medication from a pharmacist for the following long-term conditions ( asthma, COPD,  type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and  new blood thinners) New Medicine Service (NMS) – NHS

Pharmacy technicians can also support with things like:

  • inhaler technique
  • how to take a medicine safely
  • helping you understand the correct dose of a new medicine and how often you need to take it

Further information

There is detailed information on many more common long term conditions some of which can be supported by your local pharmacy under

Sexual health – OVERVIEW

From Patient info
Can your pharmacist help you with your sexual health? Can your pharmacist help you with your sexual health? | Patient

vaginal thrush

As the NHS suggest
“You can buy antifungal medicine from pharmacies if you’ve had thrush diagnosed in the past and you know the symptoms.” Thrush in men and women – NHS 

Thrush

emergency contraception

For emergency contraception see “emergency contraception” in subsection “local support – self referral” under

Further information on sexual health

There is detailed information on sexual health conditions under

travel first aid kit

From Patient info
Holiday first aid kit essentials Holiday first aid kit essentials | Travel Health Advice | Patient

Sun and sunburn

From the NHS
Sunburn

From Patient info
Sun and sunburn Sunburn | How to Treat Sunburn | Sun Risks | Patient

There is more information on protecting yourself from the sun under the question “How can you reduce your risk of skin cancer” under

motion sickness

From the NHS and Patient info
Motion sickness

From the NHS

Further information

There is detailed information on travel health some of which can be supported by your local pharmacy under

Other pharmacy services

As the NHS suggests
Other services that may be available at your local pharmacy:

  • you may be referred to a pharmacist for advice after contacting NHS 111 or a GP
  • emergency contraception
  • asthma inhaler use and advice
  • chlamydia screening and treatment
  • stop smoking service
  • blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar testing
  • substance misuse service, including needle and syringe exchange schemes
  • weight management service
  • flu vaccination
    How your pharmacy can help – NHS

search for PHARMACY SERVICES

From Patient Access
This includes paid for services.
Explore healthcare services near you Pharmacy Services | Healthcare Professionals | Patient Access

 

Videos and podcasts

On the videos and podcasts page there are links to some relevant videos and podcasts covering how your local pharmacy can give you support if you have a minor illness.

  • Videos And Podcasts – see section “minor illness and support from your local pharmacist.”

NHS 111

If you think you need medical help right now, 111 online can tell you what to do next.

Physiotherapy

You can now self refer for physiotherapy locally

Your Pharmacy

Seven common infections now treated by your local pharmacist

CAMPAIGNS

Show your heart some love, women of Bucks!

DISCLAIMER: This website is provided for information only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It does not replace the advice, diagnosis and treatment provided by a medical professional. We will not accept responsibility for any loss, damage or injury that arises from the use of this website.

Links are provided for information only and though we endeavour to ensure the information is accurate, we cannot accept responsibility for the sites linked to or the information found on these sites. A link to a site does not indicate approval or support of the site. While we endeavour to make sure that downloadable content is free from viruses, we cannot accept any liability for damage resulting from a virus infection.

Skip to content