Pharmacy First in Plymouth: When a Community Pharmacist Can Help with Common Summer Illnesses
Summer in Plymouth can mean more time outdoors, family holidays, swimming, garden jobs and days at the beach. It can also bring everyday health problems such as sore throats, painful ears, infected insect bites and skin infections. When you are feeling unwell, it is not always clear whether you need to wait for a GP appointment or whether another NHS service can help sooner.
Pharmacy First is an NHS service that enables community pharmacists to assess and treat certain common conditions without you needing to see your GP first. At Cattedown Pharmacy, our pharmacist can offer a private consultation, discuss your symptoms, check for signs that you need further medical care and provide appropriate treatment where suitable.
The service is designed for specific conditions and does not replace emergency care or ongoing GP support. However, for eligible patients with a straightforward problem, it can be a convenient, professional route to advice and treatment.
What is Pharmacy First?
Pharmacy First gives patients access to clinical advice for a defined range of common conditions. Following a consultation, the pharmacist will make a clinical assessment and explain the next best step. This may include self-care advice, treatment available from the pharmacy, an NHS medicine supplied under the service where clinically appropriate, or referral to another healthcare professional.
Community pharmacists are trained healthcare professionals. They can ask detailed questions about your symptoms, relevant medical history, allergies, regular medicines and any warning signs. The aim is to ensure you receive the right care in the right place, while helping to reduce unnecessary delays for common conditions.
Where treatment is supplied through Pharmacy First, this is based on NHS clinical guidance. Antibiotics are not automatically needed for every infection, and they will only be considered when the pharmacist believes they are appropriate.
Summer conditions Pharmacy First may help with
The NHS Pharmacy First service covers seven clinical conditions. Several can be particularly relevant during the warmer months, when children are playing outside, people are travelling, and skin or ear problems can become more noticeable.
Infected insect bites
Insect bites often cause temporary itching, redness and swelling. In many cases, they can be managed with simple measures such as avoiding scratching, keeping the area clean and using suitable over-the-counter relief where advised.
Sometimes, however, a bite may become infected. You may notice increasing pain, warmth, spreading redness, swelling, pus or fluid, or feel generally unwell. Pharmacy First may be able to help with suspected infected insect bites in patients aged one year and over. The pharmacist will assess whether the bite is likely to be infected and whether treatment through the service is suitable.
Severe swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue, difficulty breathing, collapse, or a rapidly worsening allergic reaction needs urgent emergency help.
Earache in children and young people
Earache can be upsetting, particularly for children during school holidays or after time in the water. It may occur with a cold, an ear infection, irritation or trapped water. Pharmacy First can assess earache in children and young people aged from one to 17 years.
The pharmacist will ask about pain, fever, discharge from the ear, hearing changes and how long symptoms have been present. They will also check for symptoms that may need a different level of care. Parents and carers can receive clear advice on comfort measures and what to monitor at home.
A child who is very unwell, unusually drowsy, has swelling or redness behind the ear, a stiff neck, a non-fading rash or severe symptoms should be assessed urgently.
Impetigo
Impetigo is a contagious bacterial skin infection. It often begins with red sores or blisters, which can burst and leave golden-brown crusts. It commonly affects the face, particularly around the nose and mouth, but can appear elsewhere on the body.
It can spread through close contact and by sharing towels, clothing or other personal items. Good hand hygiene, covering affected areas where practical and not sharing flannels or towels can help limit spread. Pharmacy First may assess impetigo in people aged one year and over and, where appropriate, provide treatment or advise on the next step.
If the rash is widespread, very painful, near the eyes, associated with a high temperature or accompanied by significant illness, the pharmacist may refer you for further assessment.
Sore throat
Sore throats are common throughout the year. Air travel, busy social events, summer festivals and contact with others can all mean more exposure to the viruses that commonly cause them. Most sore throats improve without antibiotics, but some symptoms need clinical assessment.
Pharmacy First can help people aged five years and over with uncomplicated sore throat symptoms. Your pharmacist can assess the severity of your symptoms and advise whether self-care is appropriate or whether an NHS treatment is needed.
Seek urgent help if you have difficulty breathing, cannot swallow saliva, are drooling, have severe swelling in the mouth or throat, or have symptoms that are rapidly getting worse.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis can cause facial pain or pressure, a blocked or runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headache and nasal discharge. It can follow a cold or develop alongside allergy symptoms. Pharmacy First may assess sinusitis in patients aged 12 years and over when symptoms are uncomplicated.
The pharmacist can discuss symptom relief, how long your symptoms have lasted and whether there are features that suggest you need a GP or urgent assessment instead. Persistent, severe or recurrent symptoms deserve particular attention.
Shingles
Shingles is caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus and usually appears as a painful rash or blisters on one side of the body. It can occur at any time of year. Early assessment matters, as antiviral treatment may be most beneficial when started promptly for eligible patients.
Pharmacy First can assess suspected shingles in adults aged 18 years and over. A rash affecting the eye, forehead, nose or face needs urgent attention, as does a painful rash with visual changes.
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections
Dehydration, travel and changes to normal routines can make urinary symptoms especially inconvenient in summer. Pharmacy First can assess uncomplicated urinary tract infection symptoms in women aged 16 to 64 years.
Symptoms can include pain or burning when passing urine, needing to pass urine more often or urgently, and lower tummy discomfort. The pharmacist will check whether the service is appropriate and advise on fluids, symptom relief and treatment if needed.
UTI symptoms in men, children, pregnant people, people aged 65 and over, or anyone with fever, chills, pain in the back or side, vomiting, confusion or blood in the urine require a different clinical assessment and should not be delayed.
What to expect during your consultation
Your consultation will take place privately with the pharmacist. You will be asked about your symptoms, when they started, whether they are improving or worsening, and any treatments you have already tried. It is helpful to mention any long-term conditions, allergies, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and medicines you take regularly.
The pharmacist may examine the affected area where this is necessary and appropriate. They will explain their assessment in clear language and give practical advice about treatment, self-care and when to seek further help. If Pharmacy First is not the right service for your needs, they can advise you on the most suitable next step.
When Pharmacy First is not the right option
Pharmacy First is intended for uncomplicated symptoms within the listed conditions. You should seek urgent medical help through NHS 111, your GP, an urgent treatment centre or 999 depending on the severity of the situation if you have concerning symptoms.
- Call 999 or attend A&E for severe breathing difficulties, chest pain, collapse, signs of a severe allergic reaction, severe bleeding, or symptoms of a stroke.
- Use NHS 111 for urgent advice when you are unsure where to go, especially if symptoms are worsening or you cannot access timely care elsewhere.
- Contact your GP or another appropriate clinician for persistent, recurrent or complex symptoms, or for conditions not included in Pharmacy First.
In summer, it is also important to remember that heat exhaustion, heatstroke, severe sunburn and significant dehydration need prompt attention and may not fall within the Pharmacy First clinical pathways.
Practical summer self-care advice
Small steps can reduce discomfort and support recovery while you follow the advice given in your consultation. Drink regularly in warm weather, particularly if you are travelling or spending time outdoors. Clean cuts, grazes and bites gently, avoid scratching irritated skin, and keep personal towels and washcloths to yourself if you have a contagious skin condition.
For holidays and day trips, it can be useful to carry water, sun protection, basic first-aid supplies and any regular medicines you need. If symptoms develop, do not rely on leftover antibiotics or medicines prescribed for someone else. The right treatment depends on the condition, your individual circumstances and a proper clinical assessment.
Book Pharmacy First at Cattedown Pharmacy
If you have symptoms of an eligible common condition and would like advice from a local healthcare professional, Cattedown Pharmacy is here to help. Book the Pharmacy First service to arrange a consultation and get clear guidance on the best next step for your health.