At Healthwatch Tameside, we work on behalf of the community to make sure health and care services are working as best they can for you, influenced by what you tell us.
This survey gives you a chance to tell us your thoughts on the Pharmacy First service, including whether you have heard of the service, whether you have used it, and what you thought of it.
This survey is open to anyone who lives in or uses services in Tameside, regardless of whether you have used the Pharmacy First service before. If you don’t know what the Pharmacy First service is or how it works, we have provided some information below:
Pharmacy First – Background information
The Pharmacy First service was introduced in January 2024, building on the existing NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service which has run since October 2019. It allows pharmacies to treat and prescribe medication for certain conditions without needing a prescription from a GP. This frees up GP appointments for patients who need them most, and gives people quicker and more convenient access to safe and high quality healthcare.
Currently, 7 conditions are covered by the service:
· Acute otitis media (Ear infection) – ages 1-17 years
· Impetigo (Skin infection) – ages 1+
· Infected insect bites - ages 1+
· Urinary Tract Infections – Women ages 16-64 years
· Shingles – ages 18+
· Sinusitis – ages 12+
· Sore throat – ages 5+
Patients can access Pharmacy First by being referred by another service (e.g. NHS 111, A&E, Urgent Care Centres, GPs), or by self-referral (visiting your local pharmacy without a referral).
Please select the 'Next' button below to begin the survey
