The NHS in Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull are reminding people that their local pharmacies can provide quick NHS care for common winter illnesses, without the need to see a GP or an appointment.

As part of a campaign running until March, the NHS is encouraging residents to use Pharmacy First for minor conditions – especially earache, sinusitis and a sore throat – which have been particularly common during this winter period.

Many people are unaware that pharmacists are trained, trusted clinicians who can assess symptoms, give expert advice and, where appropriate, provide NHS-funded treatment for these conditions.

Local pharmacists can assess and treat patients for a number of minor conditions without the need for a GP appointment or prescription, including:

  • sinusitis (adults and children aged 12 years and over)
  • sore throat (adults and children aged 5 years and over)
  • earache (children and young adults aged 1 to 17 years)
  • infected insect bite (adults and children aged 1 year and over)
  • impetigo (adults and children aged 1 year and over)
  • shingles (adults aged 18 years and over)
  • uncomplicated urinary tract infection (women aged 16 to 64 years).

Using Pharmacy First also helps keep GP appointments and urgent care services available for those with more serious health needs.

Jagjeet Sagoo, Pharmacist and Group Pharmacy Manager of Pan Pharmacy in Birmingham, said: “There’s more to your community pharmacy than simply being somewhere to collect a prescription.

“Community pharmacies can be found at the heart of local communities, and it means a lot to us to be part of the community, too. Our main branch, for example, opened in 1982 and since then, our staff have had the privilege of supporting families as they’ve grown up. It’s rewarding for us to be able to grow up with the local community and be a trusted, reliable resource for residents to access advice and treatment, whether we’re answering questions about medication or discussing a health concern.

“Now, through Pharmacy First, we can offer even more, providing advice and prescription medication, if appropriate, for seven common conditions. Your pharmacist at your community pharmacy is a trained clinician – someone who’s spent at least five years training in the use of medicines, as well as being trained to assess and treat patients, helping you and your family with minor illnesses. Through Pharmacy First, we’re supporting patients with conditions such as sore throats, earache and sinus pain every day.”

Harpal Bhandal, Director of Brutons Pharmacy in the Black Country, said: “This winter we’ve seen a real increase in people coming to us with acute sore throat, earache and sinusitis. “Pharmacy First allows us to assess these conditions quickly and provide NHS advice and treatment where appropriate, often on the same day. For many people, their local pharmacy is the quickest and easiest way to get the help they need.”

We are asking residents to:

  • Think Pharmacy First for seven common conditions, in particular sore throat, earache and sinusitis
  • Visit your local pharmacy early when symptoms begin
  • Use NHS pharmacy services with confidence.

Most community pharmacies across Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull offer Pharmacy First. To find out more, visit the Birmingham and Solihull ICB website.