Skip the GP surgery queue this summer – think Pharmacy First, says medical director at NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board

Think ‘Pharmacy First’ for fast NHS treatment this summer, writes Dr Sunil Hindocha, medical director of NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board.

As we move into the school summer holidays, we always see a large influx of holidaymakers to our wonderful county, as well as residents getting out and about in the warm weather.

Both are fantastic for our economy, but not always so good for our health services, which can feel the strain of increased attendances.

This summer, residents across Lincolnshire are being encouraged to visit their local pharmacy as the first port of call for quick and easy treatment of common health conditions, thanks to the NHS Pharmacy First service.

This will, in turn, help relieve pressure on our busy GP surgeries and urgent care services, while ensuring that patients receive the right care at the right time.

Available without an appointment, the convenient Pharmacy First service provides expert healthcare advice and treatment from trusted pharmacists.

Under the scheme, people of all ages can receive fast NHS treatment for conditions that don’t require a GP or hospital visit, including:

Sinusitis (aged 12+) – blocked nose, headaches, facial pain

Sore throat (aged five+) – pain, swelling, difficulty swallowing

Ear infections (aged one – 17) – ear pain, fever, discharge

Infected insect bites (aged one+) – swelling, redness, pus

Impetigo (aged one +) – red sores, blisters, crusting skin

Shingles (aged 18+) – painful rash, blisters, burning sensation

Urinary tract infection (UTI) (women aged 16–64) – pain when urinating, frequent need to pee

People often forget that pharmacies are a fantastic first point of call for a wide range of minor conditions. Pharmacists are trained healthcare professionals and are often the best person to speak to for the advice and treatment you need quickly.

Not only can they support with prescriptions on the spot, but they can also signpost you to and help you access other NHS services if needed.

At the same time, we still have a raft of other urgent services available when you need them. These include the NHS 111 service, the WaitLess app – which offers waiting times, queue numbers and travel times to urgent care facilities in the county – our excellent GP surgeries, as well as Urgent Treatment Centres and hospital emergency departments for when your problem is very acute.

So, this summer, we encourage everyone in Lincolnshire to think ‘Pharmacy First’ and make the most of this valuable NHS service. It is available at participating pharmacies across the county. To find your nearest participating pharmacy, visit: www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy