Woken up with an earache that’s kept you up half the night? Struggling with a sore throat that just won’t shift? You don’t have to wait days for a GP appointment to get proper treatment. Through the NHS Pharmacy First service, our pharmacists at S & S Chemists can assess your symptoms and, where it’s clinically appropriate, supply the medicine you need there and then, no referral required.
We’ve supported the NHS Pharmacy First scheme since it launched, and we’ve seen firsthand how much quicker patients can get back on their feet when a qualified pharmacist is their first port of call rather than their last resort.
There’s no need to register or book ahead for most consultations. Simply pop into either of our S & S Chemists branches, ask the team for a Pharmacy First consultation, and one of our pharmacists will see you, usually in a private consultation room. Most appointments take around 10 to 15 minutes. With your permission, we’ll check your NHS record for allergies and current medicines before deciding on the right course of action.
The consultation itself is free, and usual NHS prescription charges apply only if you’re not already exempt. If your symptoms fall outside what Pharmacy First can safely treat, we’ll refer you on to your GP, NHS 111 or A&E, whichever is most appropriate.
Facial pressure, blocked sinuses and that dull, thumping headache behind your eyes are all classic signs of sinusitis. We'll assess your symptoms and, if appropriate, offer treatment to ease the inflammation and help you breathe more easily again. Available for patients aged 12 and over.
Not every sore throat need antibiotics, and our pharmacists are trained to tell the difference between one that will settle on its own and one that needs treating. We'll talk you through your options and prescribe where it's genuinely needed. Available from age 5.
A bite that's gone red, swollen or increasingly sore is worth getting checked rather than ignored. We can assess the site and, where there's a genuine infection, provide treatment to bring it under control quickly. Available from age 1.
Earache is one of the most common reasons parents bring children into the pharmacy, and it's just as miserable for adults. We'll check for signs of infection and offer treatment where it's clinically appropriate. Available for ages 1 to 17.
This contagious skin infection tends to show up as sores or blisters, often around the nose and mouth, and can spread quickly within a household. Early treatment matters, and our team can supply appropriate antibiotics without you needing to see a GP first. Available from age 1.
Shingles can be genuinely painful, and antiviral treatment works best when it's started early. Our pharmacists can assess your rash and, where suitable, prescribe antivirals to help manage the condition and reduce the risk of complications. Available for adults aged 18 and over.
If you're a woman aged 16 to 64 with typical UTI symptoms, such as a burning sensation when you urinate or needing to go more often than usual, we can often treat you the same day. Pregnant women, recurrent infections and more complex symptoms are referred on for further assessment, as these need a different level of care.