Pharmacy First allows surgeries in England to electronically refer patients with minor ailments to local pharmacies for treatment. The service frees up dozens of scarce GP appointment slots making them available for patients with more serious issues. It therefore helpfully ensures that all patients will be able to access the NHS care they need more quickly.
Patient Viewpoint
NHS Pharmacy First patients can have a same day consultation with a UK-registered pharmacist clinician rather than waiting perhaps a week or more to see a busy GP. Patients will be seen by a pharmacist in their private consultation room. Evidence from the first half million Pharmacy First referrals shows that 80-90% of the issues are resolved by the pharmacist, whilst electronic notes are shared with the GP practice to keep them informed.
Receptionist Viewpoint
Reception teams feel the pressure from patients seeking urgent GP appointments because they are acutely aware of how busy their GP clinics are. Hence they find the additional NHS Pharmacy First referral options very helpful indeed. It means they can offer a same-day consultation to patients with less serious conditions, rather than waiting perhaps a week or more for the next available GP appointment.
Pharmacist View Point
The pharmacist is well trained on the use of medicines, which are at their finger-tips in the pharmacy. It means that Pharmacy First patients who need treatments can start them straight away. Pharmacists can also check patient medication records to avoid problems with any other medicines that the patient might be taking. Pharmacists can also use Pharmacy First processes to fast-track patients back to their doctor if they think something might be more serious.