Pharmacy First Scheme and Minor Ailments Scheme

The Minor Ailment Scheme underwent an overhaul on the 31st January 2024 and became the ‘Pharmacy First and Minor Ailments Scheme’

The previous Minor Ailment Scheme still exists and is for people who do not pay for their prescription (including children), and allows them to receive advice and medicines for a range of minor ailments, free of charge without having to visit their GP first.

The Pharmacy First Scheme now allows us to refer patients to a community pharmacy of their choice, receive a consultation from a trained healthcare professional at the pharmacy, and then receive treatment (including antibiotics) if appropriate.

To access a Pharmacy First appointment you MUST ring the surgery and ask for a Pharmacy First community pharmacy referral.

To access the Minor Ailment scheme, you just need to go to your community pharmacy – you don’t need an appointment for this but you can only access the scheme if you do not pay for your prescriptions.