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Walk in or call
No booking needed. We aim to see you within 30 minutes during opening hours.
NHS Pharmacy First
Skip the GP queue. Get treated today.
NHS Pharmacy First means our registered pharmacists can assess and treat seven common conditions for free — including prescribing antibiotics where clinically appropriate — without the wait for a GP appointment.
- Free consultationCost
- Same dayWait time
- Antibiotics if neededIncludes
What is Pharmacy First?
Launched in January 2024, Pharmacy First is an NHS service that lets community pharmacists in England assess, advise, and where clinically appropriate, prescribe medicines including antibiotics for seven specific conditions. It's designed to give patients faster access to care and to free up GP appointments for cases that genuinely need them.
At Qrystal Pharmacy, you can walk in or book a same-day Pharmacy First consultation. Our pharmacist will take a clinical history, examine you where appropriate, and either prescribe treatment, supply over-the-counter advice, or refer you on if your symptoms suggest something more serious. The service is fully NHS-funded — you pay only the standard NHS prescription charge if you're issued a prescription and aren't exempt.
You don't need a GP referral. You don't need to be registered with us. You just need to live in England and have one of the seven covered conditions.
Who can use Pharmacy First?
- Adults and children registered with an NHS GP in England
- Patients presenting with one of the seven covered conditions
- Walk-ins welcome — no appointment or referral required
You're not eligible if:
- Pregnant patients (some conditions only — please ask)
- Patients whose symptoms suggest something outside the covered seven (you'll be referred to your GP or A&E)
How a Pharmacy First consultation works
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Private consultation
Our pharmacist takes your history and examines you in our private consultation room — usually 10-15 minutes.
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Treatment decision
You'll receive a prescription, an over-the-counter product, or a referral to your GP — whatever's clinically right for you.
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Records to your GP
With your consent, the consultation summary is shared electronically with your GP, keeping your records joined up.
What's included in your consultation
- Clinical assessment by a registered pharmacist
- Private consultation room — fully confidential
- Antibiotic prescription where clinically appropriate
- Over-the-counter medicines and self-care advice
- Onward referral to GP or A&E if needed
- Electronic record sent securely to your GP
- Standard NHS prescription charge applies if you're issued a prescription and aren't exempt
The 7 conditions we treat under Pharmacy First
Click any condition for symptoms, treatment options, and what to expect at your free same-day consultation.
Sinusitis
Adults & children 12+
Facial pain, blocked nose, and pressure that won't shift — assessed and treated where clinically appropriate.
Read moreSore Throat
Adults & children 5+
Painful swallowing assessed using the FeverPAIN clinical score, with same-day antibiotics where appropriate.
Read moreEarache
Children 1-17
Acute middle-ear infection (otitis media) — examined with an otoscope and treated where clinically appropriate.
Read moreInfected Insect Bites
Adults & children 1+
Bites or stings with spreading redness, warmth, or pus — assessed and treated with antibiotics if infected.
Read moreImpetigo
Adults & children 1+
Crusty, contagious bacterial skin rash — same-day topical or oral antibiotics where appropriate.
Read moreShingles
Adults 18+
Painful one-sided blistering rash — antiviral treatment, ideally started within 72 hours of onset.
Read moreUTI (women 16-64)
Women 16-64
Uncomplicated urinary tract infection in women — confidential assessment and same-day antibiotics where appropriate.
Read morePharmacy First — frequently asked questions
Does Pharmacy First cost anything?
The consultation itself is free. If you're issued a prescription, you pay the standard NHS prescription charge unless you're exempt (e.g. under 16, over 60, on a low-income certificate).
Do I need to book in advance?
No. Walk-ins are welcome and we aim to see you within 30 minutes. You can also call ahead so we know to expect you.
Will the pharmacist actually prescribe antibiotics?
Yes — for relevant conditions and only where clinically appropriate. Pharmacy First was designed specifically to enable antibiotic supply for sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and UTIs in women 16-64.
What if my condition isn't on the list?
Our pharmacist will assess and either supply over-the-counter treatment with self-care advice, or refer you to your GP, NHS 111, or A&E depending on the severity of your symptoms.
Do I need to be registered at Qrystal Pharmacy?
No. You just need to be registered with an NHS GP somewhere in England. Bring your NHS number if you have it — but we can look it up if you don't.
Is the consultation confidential?
Yes. Consultations happen in a private room separate from the dispensing area. With your consent, we share a summary with your GP for joined-up care — but it does not go anywhere else.
Can children use Pharmacy First?
Yes. Sore throat is covered from age 5; earache from age 1; infected insect bites and impetigo from age 1; sinusitis from age 12. Younger children may need a GP — our pharmacist will advise.
How quickly will the antibiotics work?
Most patients feel improvement within 48-72 hours. If you don't improve or get worse, return to us or contact your GP.
Other NHS Services
Emergency Contraception
Free, confidential NHS supply of the morning-after pill — same day, no GP appointment.
Learn moreNew Medicine Service
Free NHS pharmacist consultations for patients newly prescribed long-term medicines.
Learn moreSmoking Cessation
Free 12-week NHS Stop Smoking support with NRT and prescription medicines.
Learn moreNeed same-day treatment?
Walk in to Qrystal Pharmacy or call ahead — we'll see you for any of the seven Pharmacy First conditions.