NHS Pharmacy First support

NHS Pharmacy First service in Manchester

Get advice and treatment routes for selected common conditions through Pharmacy First without needing a GP appointment first. This page explains the eligible condition routes, what to expect and when urgent medical care is more appropriate.

View eligible conditions When to get urgent help
Illustration of conditions covered by Pharmacy First

Eligible Pharmacy First condition pages

This page links to the specific Pharmacy First condition routes already available on the website. Patients can review the most relevant pathway before taking the next step.

Sinusitis

Support for sinus pressure, facial pain and blocked nose symptoms through the Pharmacy First route.

View sinusitis service

Sore throat

Advice for throat pain, swallowing discomfort and symptom relief with onward referral where needed.

View sore throat service

Impetigo

Support for this contagious bacterial skin infection, including hygiene advice and treatment where appropriate.

View impetigo service

Shingles

Guidance for painful rashes and early symptom review where Pharmacy First criteria apply.

View shingles service

Infected insect bite

Assessment for redness, swelling, irritation and whether symptoms need more urgent review.

View insect bite service

UTI in women

Assessment and treatment options for uncomplicated UTI symptoms in women where eligible.

View UTI service

Eligibility and safety checks

  • Your symptoms need to match one of the Pharmacy First condition routes.
  • The pharmacist may ask about current medicines, allergies, pregnancy or other health conditions.
  • If symptoms suggest a more serious problem, another service may be recommended instead.

When to get urgent medical help

Do not rely on Pharmacy First alone if symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening or suggest an emergency.

Call 999 for emergencies such as breathing difficulty, severe allergic reaction, chest pain or stroke symptoms. Use NHS 111 or urgent care routes if you feel significantly unwell and need faster escalation.

Need the correct Pharmacy First condition page?

Start by reviewing the eligible conditions above, then choose the page that most closely matches your symptoms.

View eligible conditions Find our pharmacy

How Pharmacy First works

  1. Choose the condition page that best matches your symptoms.
  2. A pharmacist-led assessment helps determine whether the Pharmacy First route applies.
  3. You may receive self-care advice, treatment if suitable, or a recommendation to use another service.
  4. You should also be told what warning signs to watch for and when to seek more urgent help.

What information helps the pharmacist

  • Any relevant medicines you already take
  • Known allergies or previous reactions
  • How long symptoms have been present and whether they are worsening
  • Any home treatment you have already tried
Availability and eligibility can vary by condition and clinical circumstances. The pharmacist will confirm what is suitable for you.