It’s great to see that 135 pharmacies in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have signed up to the Pharmacy First scheme. It means those community pharmacies will be able to offer NHS consultations and supply prescription-only medicines for common conditions including earache, sinusitis, sore throat, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.
This is a super initiative that should reduce pressure on GP appointments and allow residents to access services for minor ailments quickly and easily, freeing up GPs to deal with more complex conditions.
Across England more than 10,000 pharmacies, about 95 per cent, have signed up to Pharmacy First. Patients will be able to walk into a pharmacy to access the service or may be referred by their GP, NHS111 or UEC, allowing members of the public to take full advantage of their skills and capabilities.
