Local Community Pharmacy Service
HOW CAN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY PHARMACY SERVICE HELP?
Your Pharmacy can treat and prescribe for the following conditions without requiring a referral from your GP:
- Urinary Tract Infections in Women aged16-64 (if no antibiotics have been taken in the last 3 months)
- Shingles (over 18's) where symptoms have been present less than 7 days
- Impertigo (skin infection) (over 1's)
- Infected insect bites (over 1's)
- Sore Throat (Over 5's)
- Sinusitis (Over 12's) where symptoms exceed 10 days
- Ottis Media (Ear Infection in aged 1-18)
Please note your GP Surgery also uses this service for appropriate triaged referrals.
Pharmacies also provide Emergency Contraception, along with regular repeat supply of the Contraceptive Pill and CAN carry out your Annual Pill Check
If you’re ever in need of emergency contraception (the morning after pill) or are already taking oral contraception (the pill) or are looking for your first supply of the pill, you can now arrange a confidential consultation at a local participating pharmacy.
You can walk into a participating pharmacy to find out more or you may be signposted by your general practice, or a sexual health clinic. Our staff may also refer you to the service if you contact us if they believe it is appropriate for you to be seen at the pharmacy.
The NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service is a free service, and where appropriate includes any supply of emergency contraception and / or the pill.
You do not need to be registered with a GP to use this service.
You can use the service if you need to:
Get advice on or get a supply of an emergency contraception pill;
Start the pill for the first time (some pharmacies may not offer this);
Take the pill again after a break from using it; or
Access an ongoing supply of your pill.
What to expect?
You’ll speak with a pharmacist or pharmacy technician at your local pharmacy in a private consultation room. They’ll ask about your health and may check your height, weight and blood pressure.
If you need emergency contraception, they will help you consider your options based on your circumstances and help you select an appropriate option.
If starting the pill for the first time, they will help you consider what may best suit your needs and help you select an appropriate option.
The pharmacist or pharmacy technician will explain how to take the pill and discuss possible side effects. They can refer you to your GP or sexual health clinic if needed.
If the pharmacist or pharmacy technician gives you emergency contraception or the pill, they will let your GP know to update your GP records, but only if you give permission for them to do so.
The service can provide access to the:
Emergency contraception;
Combined pill (up to and including 49 years of age); and
Progestogen-only pill (up to and including 54 years of age, except Drospirenone which is up to and including 49 years).
Please note that certain exclusion criteria will apply:
Combined Pill (COC)
You may not be able to take the combined pill if you:
Are pregnant or think you might be
Are under 16 and not assessed as competent to consent
Have an allergy to any ingredient
Gave birth less than 3 weeks ago, or are breastfeeding and under 6 weeks postpartum
Are over 50
Have certain health conditions, such as:
High blood pressure
Migraine with aura
Blood clots, heart disease, or stroke
Breast cancer (current or past)
Liver disease
Smoke and are 35 or older
Have a BMI of 35 or more
Are taking medicines that interact with the pill (including some epilepsy drugs and herbal remedies)
Progestogen-Only Pill (POP)
You may not be able to take the POP if you:
Are pregnant
Have an allergy to any ingredient
Have certain health conditions, such as:
Breast cancer (current or past)
Liver disease
Heart disease or stroke
Are taking medicines that interact with the pill
For some POP types (e.g., drospirenone), you should avoid if:
You have kidney problems or high potassium
You are over 50
If any of the above criteria are applicable to you then please call the Surgery and request an appointment with the Practice Nurse instead of using the Pharmacy service.
