Community pharmacies offer a convenient way to get advice and treatment on a range of minor illnesses.
Visit nhs.uk to find your nearest pharmacy
Find out about bank holiday pharmacy opening times
Hear from one of our community pharmacists:
You can use community pharmacies for the following services:
Pharmacy First
From 31 January 2024, almost all Community Pharmacies will offer the Pharmacy First service. This service includes the NHS Community Pharmacy Consultation service and, if needed, NHS medicines to treat seven common health conditions:
- Urinary tract infection (water infection) in women aged 16-64 years
- Sinusitis in those aged 12 years and over
- Sore throat in those aged 5 years and over
- Impetigo (a type of skin infection) in those aged over 1 year.
- Shingles in those 18 years and over
- Infected Insect bite in those aged over 1 year
- Ear ache in children 1 -17 years (note: this cannot be provided by distance selling pharmacies)
If you have symptoms that suggest any of these conditions your GP practice may refer you to this service, or you can walk into your local pharmacy and ask how they can help you.
Independent prescriber pathfinder sites
Two community pharmacies in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are part of the national Independent Prescriber pathfinder scheme, which means they can prescribe NHS medicines for additional acute minor illness on the day, covering a wide range of conditions.
This is in addition to the seven common conditions that more than 200 pharmacies in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire can prescribe for through Pharmacy First.
The participating pharmacies are:
- Evans Pharmacy East Leake, 12-14 Gotham Lane, East Leake, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 6JG. Tel: 01509 852 810
- Brinsley Pharmacy, 1 Brynsmoor Road, Brinsley, Nottingham NG16 5DD. Tel: 01773 714 150
You are advised to phone ahead to check on which conditions can be treated at the pharmacy and pharmacist availability.
The NHS community pharmacy consultation service
The NHS community pharmacist consultation service can help you get a same day appointment with your community pharmacist for minor illness following referral from the GP surgery, urgent care centre or NHS 1111, or an emergency supply of a regular medicine following a referral from NHS 111.
Find out more about the community pharmacy consultation service
Find out how to get an emergency supply of medication from a community pharmacy
Discharge medicines service
This is offered by all community pharmacies. The hospital can refer you to the community pharmacy to help with any changes in medication and to improve your understanding of your medicines are and how to take them following discharge from hospital.
New medicines service
This service gives advice about specified medicines prescribed by the GP surgery and includes medicines for osteoporosis. This helps you understand what the medicine is for, how to take it and how to manage any concerns you may have about your medicine.
Oral contraception service
You can start oral contraception or get a repeat supply of oral contraception without the need to visit a GP.
The contraception search tool is now available. Find a pharmacy that offers the contraceptive pill without a prescription – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC)
A PPC could save you money if you pay for your NHS prescriptions.
The certificate covers all your NHS prescriptions for a set price. You will save money if you need more than 3 items in 3 months, or 11 items in 12 months.
Find out more on Prescription Prepayment Certificates.
Blood pressure checks
A pharmacist can check your blood pressure for free if you:
- are aged 40 or over
- live in England
- are not already diagnosed with high blood pressure unless referred to the service by your GP.
Maternity smoking cessation service
If you live in Nottingham, you can use the maternity smoking cessation service. Support is available for:
- People trying to conceive
- People who are pregnant
- People with a child less than 12 months old
- Associate household members
Vaccination
Many community pharmacies offer flu and Covid-19 vaccination for eligible patients.
Find out more about the Covid-19 and flu vaccination
Find a pharmacy that offers the NHS flu vaccine – NHS – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Lateral flow tests for Covid-19
Eligible people can obtain a free box of five lateral flow device (LFD) tests from some pharmacies.
Find out which pharmacies offer free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests to eligible people.
Find out who can get a free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test.
A positive LFD result may help determine whether you are referred to a Covid-19 treatment service.
You can also check which treatments and other services are provided by individual pharmacies at Find a pharmacy – NHS.
Shortage of medicines
Some medicines may not be available due to problems with manufacturing, transport, high demand or issues sourcing the ingredients. There are a few things you can do to help:
- Order medicines in good time, but no more than seven days before the due date.
- Only order medicines that you need. Check in your cupboard for any unused medicines first but remember to check the expiry date.
- If you can’t get you medication from your nominated pharmacy, try other pharmacies: Find your nearest pharmacy
If you are unable to source your medicine after trying other pharmacies please speak to your community pharmacist, GP or other prescriber for advice. We understand that it may be frustrating if there is a shortage of your medication but please remember to be kind to GP and pharmacy staff.
Find out more about managing your medication and how to get an emergency supply of medication.
