Your local pharmacy: expert care, closer to home
Did you know your pharmacy can often help you more quickly than waiting for a GP appointment? With shorter queues and easy access, pharmacists are here to give you expert advice, treatments, and support for many everyday health concerns.
Pharmacists are highly trained professionals, so you don’t always need to see a GP first.
Local pharmacies can provide:
Self Care Medicines Services
Self-Care Medicines Scheme (SCMS) – participating pharmacies can supply selected free medicines for common minor conditions (for eligible patients). Early treatment helps you feel better sooner and may avoid a GP visit.
Check your eligibility, conditioned covered and overall benefits here
Blood Pressure Checks
What is the Pharmacy Blood Pressure Check Service?
This free service allows adults, aged 40 or over, to have their blood pressure checked at participating local pharmacies. High blood pressure often has no symptoms but can lead to serious health problems like heart attacks and strokes. Checking your blood pressure can help detect issues early, so you can take steps to stay healthy.
Who is eligible for the Pharmacy Blood Pressure Check Service?
You can have a free check if you:
- Are aged 40 or over
- Live in England
You are not eligible if you:
- Already have high blood pressure
- Have had your blood pressure checked by a healthcare professional in the past 6 months
How do I access the Pharmacy Blood Pressure Check Service?
To get your blood pressure checked, simply visit a pharmacy that offers the service—you can find one near you using the NHS BP check service finder. You can also find participating pharmacies in North Central London in this list of NCL pharmacies offering advance services. Most of the time, you don’t need an appointment. A trained member of the pharmacy team will place a cuff on your upper arm to take a quick and painless reading. After the check, the pharmacist will explain your results. If needed, they may offer lifestyle advice, give you a monitor to use at home, or refer you to your GP. If you’re registered with a GP, your results will also be added to your health record.
Blood pressure checks are important for maintaining good health. Visit your local participating pharmacy today for a free check.
NCL is taking part in a new pilot project led by Barts Health NHS Trust to help find people who may be at higher risk of heart disease. Some local pharmacies will now offer cholesterol checks alongside the NHS Blood Pressure Check Service – more information and a list of participating pharmacies can be found here.
Pharmacy Contraception Service
COMMING SOON…
Pharmacy First
What is the Pharmacy First?
Pharmacy First is a free NHS service in England that lets you get advice and treatment for common illnesses directly from your local pharmacy without needing to see your GP. It’s a quick and easy way to get help for common minor health problems.
Pharmacists can give you expert advice, and if needed, treatment for the following conditions:
| Condition | Age range |
| Earache (acute otitis media) | 1 to 17 years |
| Impetigo | 1 year and over |
| Infected insect bites | 1 year and over |
| Shingles | 18 years and over |
| Sinusitis (blocked or painful nose) | 12 years and over |
| Sore throat | 5 years and over |
| Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) | Women 16-64 years |
If the pharmacist feels you need further care, they’ll let you know and refer you to the right place. The advice is free. If you’re given medicine, NHS charges may apply – unless you’re normally exempt from paying for prescriptions.
View this video on Pharmacy First.
Who is eligible for Pharmacy First?
The Pharmacy First service is available to anyone living in England. You can visit a participating pharmacy without an appointment. The pharmacist will assess your symptoms and provide appropriate advice or treatment.
The service covers the following conditions and age ranges:
| Condition | Age range |
| Earache (acute otitis media) | 1 to 17 years |
| Impetigo | 1 year and over |
| Infected insect bites | 1 year and over |
| Shingles | 18 years and over |
| Sinusitis (blocked or painful nose) | 12 years and over |
| Sore throat | 5 years and over |
| Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) | Women 16-64 years |
If you’re unsure whether your condition is covered, you can visit a participating pharmacy, and the pharmacist will guide you.
How do I access Pharmacy First?
You can walk into a pharmacy that offers the Pharmacy First service – no appointment needed. Your GP practice may also refer you into this service if they think you could be seen sooner for your condition at the pharmacy. A trained pharmacist will see you in a private consultation room to talk about your symptoms and ask a few questions about your health. If they can treat your condition, they may offer you medication on the NHS. If your condition needs further care, they’ll help you get the right support. If you’re registered with a GP, your results will also be added to your health record.
You can also find participating pharmacies in North Central London in this list of NCL pharmacies offering advance services.