Pharmacy First
Pharmacy First
The NHS Confederation NHS Confederation Community Pharmacy. states that "Each year around 57 million GP appointments are made for minor ailments which could be treated by a pharmacist".
Pharmacists are trained health professionals who can identify, provide advice and sell medication for the treatment of minor conditions. They can also identify more serious conditions which would need to be seen by your GP. All information provided to the pharmacist is treated with the strictest of confidence. By visiting the pharmacist the patient / customer could save time as no appointment is needed and many pharmacies are open in the evening and during the weekend. By visiting the pharmacy for minor ailments more GP appointments would become available for those patients with more serious conditions and those in greatest need.
- Pharmacy First (clinical pathways) – new element
- Pharmacy First (urgent repeat medicine supply) – previously commissioned as the CPCS
- Pharmacy First (NHS referrals for minor illness) – previously commissioned as the CPCS
The Pharmacy First Scheme allows the prescribing of different antimicrobial and corticosteroid therapies by the pharmacist and concentrates on 7 main ailments including:
- Earache (Could be caused by Acute Otitis Media)
- Impetigo
- Infected Insect Bites
- Shingles
- Sinusitis
- Sore Throat
- Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Women
More training on the Pharmacy Firsy Scheme is available within the Numarknet Pharmacy Excellence (PE) training course found at the following link. Pharmacy First
If a customer / patient comes to the pharmacy requesting medication, information, guidance or support on any of the above 7 conditions / minor ailments please refer them to the pharmacist because your pharmacy could be part of the Pharmacy First Scheme.