How does the service work?
The NHS Pharmacy First Service allows patients to access advice and treatment for the following ailments without needing to see a GP. At Million Pharmacy Sunderland, our specially trained pharmacists can carry out a clinical assessment and, where appropriate, provide NHS treatments.
You may be eligible if you are aged 1 year and over and have symptoms including:
You should seek urgent medical attention if you have:
- Red sores or blisters that burst and form honey-coloured crusts
- Patches of irritated or inflamed skin
- Itching or discomfort around affected areas
- Localised mild skin infection typically around the face, hands or body
- Ask about your symptoms and medical history
- Assess your skin symptoms to determine what treatment is needed
- Provide self-care advice and hygiene guidance to prevent spread
- Supply NHS antibiotic creams or oral antibiotics if clinically necessary
You should seek urgent medical attention if you have:
- Rapidly spreading or severe skin infection
- High fever or feeling very unwell
- Infection near the eyes causing swelling or vision problems
- A weakened immune system or complex medical condition
- Symptoms not improving after treatment
You may be eligible if you are aged 1 year and over and have symptoms including:
You should seek urgent medical attention if you have:
- Red, swollen or painful insect bites
- Warmth or spreading redness around the bite
- Pus, discharge or signs of local infection
- Itching, irritation or inflammation
- Mild fever associated with an infected bite
- Ask about your symptoms and medical history
- Assess the bite and surrounding skin to determine what treatment is needed
- Provide self-care advice and symptom relief options if appropriate
- Supply NHS antibiotics or other treatments if clinically necessary
You should seek urgent medical attention if you have:
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or dizziness
- Rapidly spreading redness or severe swelling
- Severe pain or rapidly worsening symptoms
- Signs of a serious skin infection such as red streaks, high fever or feeling very unwell
- A weakened immune system or complex medical condition
You may be eligible if you are aged 1 to 17 years old and have symptoms including:
You should seek urgent medical attention if you have:
- Ear pain or earache (in younger children holding, tugging or rubbing of the ear)
- Fever associated with ear infection
- Irritability or difficulty sleeping in children
- Reduced hearing or feeling of pressure in the ear
- Recent upper respiratory infection linked to ear symptoms
- Ask about symptoms and medical history
- Assess ear pain and associated symptoms to determine what treatment is needed
- Provide self-care advice and pain relief options if appropriate
- Supply NHS antibiotics if clinically necessary
You should seek urgent medical attention if you have:
- Swelling, redness or tenderness around or behind the ear
- Fluid, pus or blood leaking from the ear
- Severe symptoms or rapidly worsening condition
- Persistent symptoms lasting longer than 3 days without improvement
- A weakened immune system or complex medical condition
You may be eligible if you:
You should seek urgent medical attention if you have:
- Are aged 18 years and over
- Are presenting within 72 hours of rash onset
- Rash which appeared initially as red spots on a pink/red background
- Stabbing or throbbing pain in the affected area
- Blisters on one side of the body
- Tingling, burning or numbness in the affected area
- Itching or sensitivity of the skin
- Fever, headache or feeling generally unwell
- Ask about your symptoms and medical history
- Assess your rash and symptoms to determine what treatment is needed
- Provide self-care advice and pain relief options if appropriate
- Supply NHS antiviral medication if clinically necessary
You should seek urgent medical attention if you have:
- A rash affecting the eye or vision changes
- Severe pain or rapidly worsening symptoms
- Signs of infection such as spreading redness, swelling or pus
- A weakened immune system or complex medical condition
- Symptoms that are severe or unusual
You may be eligible if you:
You should seek urgent medical attention if you have:
- Are aged 12 years and over
- Have symptoms lasting 10 days or more without improvement
- Facial pain or pressure
- Blocked or stuffy nose
- Thick yellow or green nasal discharge
- Reduced sense of smell
- Headache or fever associated with sinusitis
- Ask about your symptoms and medical history
- Assess your symptoms to determine what treatment is needed
- Provide self-care advice and symptom relief options if appropriate
- Supply NHS antibiotics if clinically necessary
You should seek urgent medical attention if you have:
- Swelling or redness around the eyes
- Severe headache, confusion or neck stiffness
- Vision problems or double vision
- Severe symptoms or rapidly worsening condition
- A weakened immune system or complex medical condition
You may be eligible if you are aged 5 years and over and have symptoms including:
The consultation is confidential and usually takes around 10–15 minutes.
You should seek urgent medical attention if you have:
- Painful or swollen throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fever associated with sore throat
- Visible pus on your tonsils
- Ask about your symptoms and medical history
- Assess the severity of your sore throat to determine what treatment is needed
- Provide self-care advice and medication if appropriate
- Supply NHS antibiotics if clinically necessary
The consultation is confidential and usually takes around 10–15 minutes.
You should seek urgent medical attention if you have:
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing saliva
- Severe symptoms or rapidly worsening condition
- Symptoms lasting longer than 7 days
- A weakened immune system or complex medical condition
You may be eligible if you:
During your consultation, the pharmacist will:
You should seek urgent medical attention if you have:
- Are a female aged 16 to 64 years
- Are not pregnant
- Pain or burning sensation when passing urine
- Needing to pass urine more frequently or urgently
- Lower abdominal discomfort or pressure
- Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
During your consultation, the pharmacist will:
- Ask about your symptoms and medical history
- Assess your symptoms to determine what treatment is needed
- Provide self-care advice and symptom relief options if appropriate
- Supply NHS antibiotics if clinically necessary
You should seek urgent medical attention if you have:
- Symptoms of a kidney infection such as fever, chills, nausea, vomiting or pain in your back or side
- Blood in your urine
- Symptoms that are severe or rapidly worsening
- Recurrent UTIs or symptoms lasting longer than 48 hours without improvement
- A weakened immune system or complex medical condition
