Pharmacy First in Acocks Green: Seven Conditions Treated Without a GP

What Pharmacy First covers

Pharmacy First lets a community pharmacist assess and, where appropriate, supply prescription-only treatment for seven conditions without you seeing a GP. It is an NHS service, so there is no charge for the consultation, and the usual prescription rules apply to any medicine supplied.

The seven conditions are: sore throat, earache in children and young people aged 1 to 17, sinusitis, urinary tract infection in women aged 16 to 64, shingles, impetigo, and infected insect bites.

What happens when you come in

You will be seen in our private consultation room, not at the counter. The pharmacist asks about your symptoms, how long you have had them and any other medicines or conditions, then examines you where it is relevant — looking in the ear or at the throat, for example.

One of three things follows: treatment is supplied and you take it away with you; self-care advice is given because treatment would not help; or you are referred to a GP or urgent care because the assessment suggests something beyond the scope of the service. All three are normal outcomes.

No appointment needed

You can walk in any time we are open — Monday to Saturday 9am–9pm and Sunday 10am–8pm. You do not need to be registered with us, and you do not need to have used the pharmacy before.

If you would rather check first, call 0121 448 4336.

When Pharmacy First is not the right route

Go to a GP or urgent care instead if you have chest pain, difficulty breathing, a stiff neck with a rash, confusion, or a very young baby with a temperature that will not come down. The pharmacist will tell you the same, but you will have lost time getting here first.