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Pharmacy First
Pharmacy First: Expert Care Without the Wait
At Dock Pharmacy, we are proud to offer the NHS Pharmacy First Service, providing expert care for minor ailments and access to necessary medications without the need for a GP appointment. Our service ensures that you receive timely, professional healthcare support, making it easier for you to manage your health and well-being.
Benefits of Pharmacy First for Customers:
- Quick Access: Receive immediate advice and treatment for minor ailments without waiting for a GP appointment.
- Expert Care: Get professional healthcare support from our qualified pharmacists.
- Convenience: Access treatment and medications conveniently at your local pharmacy.
- Cost-Effective: Many treatments are available for free under the NHS Pharmacy First scheme.
- Reduced GP Workload: Helps reduce the burden on GPs, allowing them to focus on more complex cases.
Minor Ailments Treated by Pharmacy First:
Our Pharmacy First service covers a wide range of minor ailments, ensuring you get the care you need promptly. Some of the common conditions we can help with include:
- Coughs and Colds: Relief from symptoms and advice on managing your condition.
- Sore Throat: Treatment and recommendations to ease discomfort.
- Hay Fever: Medications and advice on managing allergic reactions.
- Headache: Pain relief and guidance on preventing recurrent headaches.
- Indigestion: Solutions for discomfort and advice on dietary adjustments.
- Constipation: Recommendations for over-the-counter treatments and lifestyle changes.
- Diarrhoea: Advice on rehydration and suitable medications.
- Earache: Pain relief and advice on managing symptoms.
- Athlete’s Foot: Antifungal treatments and prevention tips.
- Eczema and Dry Skin: Moisturizers and topical treatments for skin relief.
- Nasal Congestion: Decongestants and advice on managing symptoms.
- Insect Bites and Stings: Relief from itching and swelling.
- Cold Sores: Antiviral treatments and advice on prevention.
- Conjunctivitis: Eye drops and advice on managing the condition.
- Warts and Verrucas: Topical treatments and advice on care.
Conditions Treated with Antibiotics:
In certain cases, our pharmacists can prescribe antibiotics for specific conditions without the need for a GP consultation. The seven conditions for which antibiotics can be provided include:
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Symptoms of UTIs: Symptoms of a urinary tract infection typically include a frequent and urgent need to urinate, along with a burning sensation during urination. Women may also experience pelvic pain and discomfort, as well as cloudy or strong-smelling urine.
How Pharmacy First Can Help with UTIs:
Pharmacy First can treat uncomplicated UTIs in women aged 16 to 64, if appropriate. If you suspect a UTI and you’re a man or a catheter user, it’s advised that you seek advice and treatment from your GP.
Shingles
Symptoms of Shingles: Shingles, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, usually begins with pain, burning, or tingling sensations in a specific area of the skin, followed by a rash consisting of red, fluid-filled blisters. Additional symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, and sensitivity to light.
How Pharmacy First Can Help with Shingles:
Pharmacy First offers advice and treatment for shingles in individuals over the age of 18, including prescription treatments if needed.
Impetigo
Symptoms of Impetigo: Impetigo, a contagious bacterial skin infection, typically starts with red sores or blisters that burst and form a honey-colored crust. These lesions can be itchy and spread rapidly across the body, causing swelling and redness in the surrounding skin. Some individuals may experience tenderness or pain at the site of the sores.
How Pharmacy First Can Help with Impetigo:
Through Pharmacy First, we can offer treatment and advice for impetigo to those aged 1 and over, including prescription treatments if appropriate, without the need to visit a GP.
Infected Insect Bites
Symptoms of Infected Insect Bites: Insect bites and stings are common, especially if you’ve visited woodland or grassy areas, and can feel itchy. Scratching increases the likelihood of these bites and stings becoming infected by exposing the wound to bacteria. Symptoms of an infected insect bite include redness, swelling, warmth, and tenderness around the bite area. You may also notice pus or fluid drainage from the bite site. The skin around the bite may become increasingly painful or develop a raised, red bump.
How Pharmacy First Can Help with Infected Insect Bites:
Pharmacy First offers advice and treatment for infected insect bites for those aged 1 and over, including prescription treatments if necessary.
Sore Throat
Symptoms of a Sore Throat: Sore throat symptoms typically include pain, scratchiness, or irritation in the throat, making it uncomfortable to swallow or talk. The throat may appear red or swollen, and you might notice white patches or pus on the tonsils. Some individuals experience swollen glands in the neck, hoarseness, coughing, or a low-grade fever. In cases of viral infections like the common cold or flu, other symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, and sneezing may also be present.
How Pharmacy First Can Help with a Sore Throat:
With Pharmacy First, those aged 5 years and over can access advice and treatment, including prescription treatments if needed, for a sore throat.
Sinusitis
Symptoms of Sinusitis: Sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinus cavities, causes symptoms such as facial pain or pressure, particularly around the forehead, cheeks, and eyes. Individuals with sinusitis may experience nasal congestion, difficulty breathing through the nose, and thick nasal discharge, which can be yellow or green in color. Headaches, toothaches, and a reduced sense of smell or taste are also common. Fatigue, coughing, and a sore throat may accompany sinusitis, especially if it’s caused by a viral infection.
How Pharmacy First Can Help with Sinusitis:
Pharmacy First can offer treatment and advice for sinusitis in those aged 12 years and over, including prescription treatments where appropriate.
Earache
Symptoms of Earache: Earache symptoms typically include pain or discomfort in one or both ears, which can range from mild to severe and may worsen when lying down or chewing. There may also be a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear, difficulty hearing, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and dizziness. Earaches can be accompanied by drainage from the ear, fever, swelling, and redness around the ear.
How Pharmacy First Can Help with Earache:
While our online pharmacy department cannot offer advice or treatment for earaches, visiting us in-store allows you to access the Pharmacy First scheme, providing advice and treatment for those aged between 1 and 17, including prescription treatments if needed.
Is Pharmacy First Service and the medication free of charge?
The consultation is an NHS service and is free of charge. If medication is prescribed as a result of the consultation and you usually pay a prescription charge, the current fee of £9.65 will apply. If you are exempt from prescription charges, you will not need to pay.
How to Use the Pharmacy First Service at Dock Pharmacy:
- Visit or Call Dock Pharmacy: Simply walk into our pharmacy without the need for an appointment or call the pharmacy. You may also be referred by an NHS provider, such as NHS 111 or your GP practice.
- Consultation: Speak with one of our qualified pharmacists about your symptoms.
- Assessment: Our pharmacist will assess your condition and provide expert advice.
- Treatment: Receive appropriate treatment, which may include over-the-counter medications or prescribed antibiotics.
- Follow-Up: Our pharmacists are available for any follow-up questions or concerns.
At Dock Pharmacy, we are committed to providing you with fast, reliable, and professional healthcare through the Pharmacy First service. Trust us for expert care without the wait. Visit us today for all your minor ailment needs and benefit from our comprehensive healthcare support.
For more information or to use our Pharmacy First service, visit Dock Pharmacy or contact us directly. Your health and well-being are our top priorities.
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