NHS Services·5 min read
How Pharmacy First is changing local healthcare
Same-day treatment for seven common conditions, with no GP appointment needed. Here is what the scheme means for our neighbourhood.
IBy Imran Patel
Pharmacy First is now the busiest service we offer at Meadowfield. The principle is simple: for seven specific conditions, a trained community pharmacist can assess, advise and, where clinically appropriate, supply prescription-only medicines without sending you back to your GP.
What's actually covered
The seven pathways are sore throat, sinusitis, earache in children, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women aged 16 to 64. Each follows a national clinical protocol so you get the same standard of care here as you would on the other side of London.
Why it matters for our patients
GP appointments are precious. Pharmacy First takes a meaningful chunk of demand off the practice while giving you a much faster route to relief. Most of our consultations are completed within twenty minutes of walking through the door.
- Same-day appointments, often within the hour
- Private consultation room (no chemist counter)
- Free at the point of use, including any medicines
- Notes shared securely with your GP with your consent
If you have been putting off booking the GP for a sore throat that just will not shift, pop in. We will triage you in five minutes and tell you whether we can help today.