Sunray Surgery is pleased to offer patients the ability to self-refer to community pharmacists for minor illness consultations, hypertension case-finding services and contraception services
Pharmacists can provide advice, treatment, or refer you to a GP or another healthcare professional if necessary. They will also update your GP health record after your consultation.
The Pharmacy First Service
This new service improves access to healthcare by directing patients to the most appropriate healthcare professional, whether that’s a GP or a pharmacist.
What’s Included?
Pharmacists can now offer advice, treatment, and supply NHS medicines for these common conditions:
- Earache/Ear Infections (Ages 1–17)
- Impetigo (Ages 1+)
- Infected Insect Bites (Ages 1+)
- Shingles (Ages 18+)
- Sinusitis (Ages 12+)
- Sore Throat (Ages 5+)
- Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (Women, Ages 16–64)
If you’re outside these age ranges, pharmacists can still offer advice but may refer you to a GP if needed.
If you experience symptoms of these conditions, you can visit a pharmacy for a consultation. Under this new service, pharmacists can offer advice and, if clinically necessary, provide NHS medicines to treat your condition (standard prescription charges apply if you normally pay for prescriptions). If the pharmacy team cannot assist, they will direct you to your GP surgery or A&E as needed.
We believe this is a positive change. Pharmacists are highly trained professionals experienced in managing minor illnesses, and once you experience their care, we’re confident you’ll appreciate the convenience.
This service helps free up GP appointments for patients with more complex needs, ensuring everyone receives timely, appropriate care.
Please note that online self-referrals submitted over the weekend may take longer to process, as the practice is closed. For a quicker response, visit your local pharmacy in person.
Getting the Contraceptive Pill Without a Prescription
You may be able to obtain the contraceptive pill from a pharmacy if you need to:
- Start it for the first time
- Resume taking it after a break
If you already have a prescription, you can continue using it as usual. Alternatively, you can choose to get the pill from a pharmacy without a prescription.
Get a Free Blood Pressure Check
You can have your blood pressure checked for free at a pharmacy without needing to see a GP if you:
- Are aged 40 or over
- Live in England
You are not eligible for a free check if you:
- Already have high blood pressure
- Had your blood pressure checked by a healthcare professional within the last 6 months
Why Are We Doing This?
Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals with five years of training, making them experts in medicines. They can provide clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for various minor illnesses, with same-day consultations arranged at a convenient time.
Using the Pharmacy First approach makes it quicker and easier to access care, avoiding the 8am rush for GP appointments. This new service is part of broader healthcare improvements, empowering pharmacists to use more of their skills and offering patients greater choice. Future expansions aim to include additional conditions.
This initiative also frees up GP appointments for patients with more complex symptoms who require GP care.
What Happens When I See the Community Pharmacist?
Your personal and illness details will be shared with the pharmacist, who will contact you to arrange a same-day consultation or schedule it at a suitable time.
You may have an in-person consultation in a private room, or the consultation may take place over the phone or via video. The pharmacist will review your medical history, symptoms, and current medication, similar to a GP appointment.
The pharmacist will typically provide advice and may offer an over-the-counter product if you choose to purchase it. If clinically necessary, they can prescribe prescription-only medication. Details of your consultation will be sent back to us for your records.
If urgent GP care is needed, the pharmacist will contact us to ensure you are seen promptly, or they may advise visiting A&E. For non-urgent follow-ups, you may be referred back to us.
What If I Get Free Prescriptions from My GP?
Pharmacists will advise on how to manage your symptoms, which may include recommending a medicine or product. These medicines, available to purchase at pharmacies, are typically inexpensive and not routinely prescribed by GPs. You can choose whether to make a purchase.
What Happens If I Don’t Want to See the Pharmacist?
We aim to direct you to the most appropriate healthcare professional based on your symptoms. If your condition can be managed through a pharmacist consultation but you decline this option, you will be offered a routine GP appointment at a later date.
Why Is This Beneficial for Patients?
Community pharmacies are local, open longer hours than GP practices, and provide the same outcomes with more convenience. If necessary, the pharmacist can help arrange an urgent GP appointment for you.
Patients who have used this service appreciated the same-day or flexible scheduling options at a pharmacy of their choice. In fact, 78% of people who consulted a community pharmacist were successfully treated.